Cannes ’18 Review: ‘Cold War’ Winner of Best Director Award
Directed by Paweł Pawlikowski
The Polish filmmaker Pawel Pawlikowski won best director, for ‘Cold War’, which follows two lovers from the end of World War II into the 1960s across countries and shifting political realities. Based on his own parents’ love story, this gorgeously shot, Robert Doisneau-esque (when in Paris) black and white period piece takes a slice of your heart away in its retelling.
Cold War reviews have been stellar as are the stars Joanna Kulig, Tomasz Kot.
“Luminous presence of Joanna Kulig, who on this performance is a powerful enough to become the Jeanne Moreau de nos jours.This film fizzes with a devotional energy and political relevance”
Nick James, Sight & Sound
“Kulig, as effervescent in her way as the young Jeanne Moreau, is the film’s life force”
Tim Robey, Telegraph 4****
“This is a movie of the flesh, not the spirit. Pawlikowski is a lyrical, mysterious filmmaker with a ravishing visual sense”
Steve Pond, The Wrap
“A mysterious, musically glorious and visually ravishing film. An elliptical, episodic story of imprisonment and escape, epic in scope. The musical ensemble performances are staggering — brilliantly choreographed by Pawlikowski and filmed by cinematographer Łukasz Żal.”
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian 4****
“A glorious throwback — a film made with a verve and lyricism which rekindles memories of the glory days of European New Wave cinema. Decades-spanning romantic drama that never loses its ironic edge. Pawlikowski invokes memories of Milos Forman, Jiri Menzel and François Truffaut at the start of their careers. The film never loses its intimate and playful quality. The film retains a quiet humour throughout.”
Geoffrey McNab, The Independent
“Bittersweet and unbearably lovely. A musicologist’s delight, featuring an eclectic swathe of songs that range from traditional “mountain” tunes and Soviet-era hymns to agricultural reform, classical pieces to snatches of George Gershwin and other jazz numbers up to Bill Haley & His Comets”
Leslie Felperin, THR
“Should secure it plum arthouse slots across the globe. Wholly riveting to watch, Kulig rifles through moods and attitudes with the casual magnetism of a young Jeanne Moreau, or even a Euro Jennifer Lawrence. Cold War is a soberly moving study of the disappointment and insecurity that can blossom from supposed renewal: It’s a romance in which new beginnings and endings can be hard to tell apart.”
Guy Lodge, Variety
“Cold War is glorious, sophisticated film-making. Pawlikowski’s camera feels thrillingly liquid.”
Finn Halligan, Screen
