Cold War (2018) (Zimna Wojna) - A Selfishly Unselfish Experience | Intricate Films

"A dreamlike trance" is a better way to describe this "experience" in contrast to calling it, "a film", "a movie", or anything else mundane like that. This is something unlike any. The title could never have been too right and too wrong at the same time, but here we are....

An affair of the heart. One of the single most popular genres in everything that can be called, "art". The reason why such a thing as art exists in the first place is to accomplish something our tangible world may limit us from experiencing. "Art" is nothing, but an emotional projection of the intangible upon the tangible. And true, original art makes itself known. True art stands the test of time.

This is one of those rare instances where I feel a silver screen production would truly be timeless. The story has such an incredible relationship with the name of this work of art. Let's talk about it.

It's Poland, 1949. World War 2 has been over for a while. His name is Wiktor. He is conducting an audition for a Polish folk music ensemble. Her name is Zula. She's a participant. He notices her attitude and her originality. The rest as they say, is history.

At the beginning, I said that the title is "too right and too wrong at the same time." Why? How's that possible? Very simple. It's "Too wrong" because this is an emotional experience where towards the end, it doesn't leave you "cold" whatsoever. But it does make you feel the "coldness". It makes you feel the harsh realities of life.... That's why it's "too right and too wrong at the same time."

When I said this is like "A dreamlike trance", a major contributing factor towards that is the music. The singing performances. The choice of Polish songs are as "polished" as they can get, if you forgive the pun. All the songs are about love. Love is the central theme of 'Cold War'.

This brings me to my next point. 'Cold War' is not just an experience of the love between Wiktor and Zula. It is about love in its absolute totality. That's what I find so unbelievably endearing about it. This 'experience' provides what I call, 'A paradoxical parallel'.

What do I mean? 'Cold War' shows us the duality of following our heart. The irrational and self undoing aspects of it are highlighted clearly. The Berlin Wall here is not just a wall. It's something more. Metaphorically....

'Cold War' is not just about the political Cold War, but also the romantic one. Achieving warmth by traversing the coldness of the path towards it, creating a situation by destroying everything else, to just name a few. What I adore is the fact that 'Cold War' isn't simply too caught up in its plot, but it aims to teach us lessons of the heart. This is truly unselfish and giving.

I call this, "A selfishly unselfish" experience.  Through the "selfish" aspect of the story of Wiktor and Zula, the film is being "unselfish" in pointing out the nature of the realities of love. It is a perfect blend of objectivity and subjectivity. More precisely, it manages to be objective by being subjective. Now isn't that simply amazing?

Mr. Paweł Pawlikowski seems to have a penchant for making some amazing Black & White films which stand out in the modern sea of colour. I'm glad to say that it was the single best decision he made. It contributes to the "duality" I mentioned before and also makes the trance - like feeling, that much more intoxicating.

Speaking of whom, it is important to mention that 'Cold War' was loosely inspired by the lives of his parents. I find that absolutely wonderful.

'Cold War' has such a touching ending. The last  line, "Let's go to the other side. The view is better from there." sent shivers through me. Despite being Black & White, it's more colourful than many other "Colour Films". I'm going to stop it at that. But before I finish my review, all I have to say is this. If you could only watch one film about the path of the heart, trust me and make it this one. Experience it, enjoy it, think about it. You won't regret it....

                                                                - Abhyjith Ashokan

The Important Characters and their Casts :

* Tomasz Kot as Wiktor Warski.
* Joanna Kulig as Zuzanna "Zula" Lichon.
* Borys Szyc as Lech Kaczmarek.

Intricate Meter - 10/10

This is a film that deserves its place on The Intricate Wall Of Fame as it provides such depth and meaning. True value is a rarity these days. 'Cold War' (2018) does a fantastic job in providing it, and some more.

                                        - Abhyjith. K. Ashokan

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                                                           - Abhyjith and Arvind