Secret / Sekret (Poland, 2012)

directed by Przemysław Wojcieszek, drama, 82 min, eng subtitles
written by Przemysław Wojcieszek
with Tomasz Tyndyk, Agnieszka Podsiadlik, Marek Kępiński

Ksawery and Karolina pay Jan a visit. Jan is Ksawery's grandfather living alone in a desolate countryside. Ksawery is a drag queen performer. Karolina claims to be Ksawery's agent. Jan is the only relative with whom Ksawery ever felt a connection. Ksawery is gay. Karolina is Jewish.
Jan, over 80, is a former resistance soldier but probably harbours a dark secret from the time of the Holocaust. Karolina knows that the house witnessed a murder which has gone unpunished for 70 years. Karolina wants answers. Jan is happy to be their host. Ksawery has nowhere to run.
At first glance, this would be a perfect trio for a story about history, a history of perpetrators and victims. But it is not so simple.
In experimental form, Wojcieszek immerses us in a questioning of individual and collective identities which goes far beyond the historical aspect - there may be no answers, but the questions resonate long after.

Festivals:
Berlinale 2012 („Forum" section)