It’s Not My Film (To nie mój film)

It’s Not My Film is notable for a couple of reasons. It marks a very assured debut as director, writer, and photographer for Maria Zbaska. It’s also a tremendous debut by Zofia Chabiera who plays Wanda, playing opposite the experienced Marcin Sztabinski as Janek, who is also superb.

Wanda and Janek have been together ten years and what magic they had, is draining away with petty arguments and suchlike. To try to save their relationship, they set out on a long walk across the Baltic Coast. At 400km and in winter it’s a test of many things. They agree to a series of rules such as sticking to the beach for the duration.

However the rules are bent when a storm hits them, and they have to move off and on other occasions due to lapses or poor preparation. Nevertheless the main thing is that they are talking. And with their mutual agreement that failure will end their relationship there’s a lot at stake.

As they start to examine themselves, you do wonder what attracted them in the first place. Once however the superficialities are done, there’s a deeper love, something that isn’t so easy to quantify. That is brought out through the actors’ interpretation of Zbaska’s witty and incisive script.

They annoy each other, Wanda being something of a free spirit prone to flights of fancy. While Janek at times crude and fastidious is capable of great kindness as well unbelievable stupidity.

Both share the frustration of missed opportunities and unfulfilled dreams, now only memories. The walk is as much about moving on from those things as a rekindle.

It’s Not My Film is pretty much a two-handed character study of people and a relationship that many will find familiar. The lust period has long gone, as has the novelty factor.

They’ve settled into a routine where they are content, just not what it was, they are drifting on memories of the early days. And pining for something that cannot be recreated rather than move forward and adjust.

This is all handled with some sensitivity by Zbaska who as the photographer, has an eye for landscapes and well as quirkier us of the camera.

It’s Not My Film will be screened at the ICA, London on 7 March 2025.

Kinoteka Polish Film Festival 2025 takes place in venues across London and the UK 6 March to 25 April
For further information and tickets: https://kinoteka.org.uk/