Fiction, 96′
Written and directed by: Adrian Panek
Production: Poland, 2024

In 1972, after defending her master’s thesis, Simona Kossak, who comes from a famous family of painters, in an act of rebellion against her tradition, started working as a scientist in Białowieża. Once there, her naive ideas about the work of a naturalist are painfully verified. Stubborn character, determination and the upbringing she received at home help her defend her ideals and the Białowieża Forest. Her research on the life of deer and their impact on the forest ecosystem forced the then authorities to verify their plans for this species. In Białowieża, she also meets photographer Lech Wilczek, with who she becomes involved and with who she shares common passion and difficult relationships. Simona lived for the rest of her life in the Dziedzinka forester’s lodge in the heart of Białowieża.

Written and directed by: Adrian Panek
DOP: Jakub Stolecki
Editing: Piotr Kmiecik
Art directing: Agata Adamus
Costume design: Kalina Lach, Paulina Sieniarska
Make-up: Anna Nobel
Sound: Aleksander Musiałowski, Adam Szmit
Music: Bartosz Chajdecki

Production management: Julia Jendrysik
Producers: Agata Szymańska, Magdalena Kamińska
Production company: Balapolis
Co-production companies: Documentary and Feature Film Studios (WFDiF), Hollman Emea, Krakowskie Biuro Festiwalowe, Mazowiecki Instytut Kultury, Mazovia Warsaw Film Fund

Co-financed by Polish Film Institute

Festival distribution: IKH Pictures Promotion

Sandra Drzymalska
Jakub Gierszał
Agata Kulesza
Borys Szyc
Nika Wichłacz
Marianna Zydek
Marta Stalmierska
Olga Bołądź
Dariusz Chojnacki
Robert Gonera

New Horizons International Film Festival, Poland (2024) – World Premiere

Polish Film Festival, Gdynia, Poland (2024) – Award for the Most Environmentally Friendly Film Production Award and Chopard Loves Cinema Award for Marianna Zydek