“Love and Freedom” a review of “Cold War” by Nathan H. Box

Recommendation: 3/5 Stars, STREAM

Director: Pawel Pawlikowshi, Writer: Pawel Pawlikowshi, Starring: Joanna Kulig, Tomasz Kot, Borys Szyc

Plot: “In the 1950s, a music director falls in love with a singer and tries to persuade her to flee communist Poland for France.” -IMDB

Review: “Cold War” begins with a simple aim to collect the folk songs of Eastern Europe during the Cold War and communist Russia’s grip on that half of the continent. Moving from village to village, Wiktor, played by Tomasz Kot, is looking for the best of the best. While the end goal isn’t immediately clear, as a spectator and student of history you know the ultimate goal is to bring positive attention to the people and traditions under Russia’s control.

This search for talent brings Wiktor someone who infatuates him almost instantly. Zula, played by Jonna Kulig, is blonde, talented, beautiful, and sings with a spirit giving glory to her people. From the moment Wiktor lays eyes on her, he is in love. What seems like a normal relational drama shifts into something more complicated, as we are asked to question the meaning of love and art in communist Europe. With the potential to be truly free and live a life in France, our story becomes an endeavor on Wiktor’s behalf to convince Zula to flee to the west.

This film then enters into the “Sam & Diane” or “Jim & Pam” phase with the exception here being the very real divide of the Berlin Wall. This barrier keeps you guessing whether they will make it or not. It seems that every time they find each other some greater force pulls them apart and then forces them back together again. It would be impossible for this push and pull not to change a person and that is exactly what happens here. It also adds an additional layer of complexity to the story.

As the story escalates, the realities of the relationship seem to be impossible. Even after a return to where it all started, you are left unsure whether this thing can last. But isn’t that true of all relationships? No matter the level of complications facing a relationship, aren’t the cards always stacked against it? For beautifully displaying this drama and allowing it to play out during the Cold War, I think this movie is worthy of a night of streaming.

Be good to each other,

-Nathan

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