• Back Then

    Directed by Kinga Debska
    Poland | 94 minutes | World Cinema Now

  • Back Then

    Directed by Kinga Debska
    Poland | 94 minutes | World Cinema Now

  • Back Then

    Directed by Kinga Debska
    Poland | 94 minutes | World Cinema Now

  • Back Then

    Directed by Kinga Debska
    Poland | 94 minutes | World Cinema Now

The “back then” of this delightfully performed, laugh-out-loud-funny family dramedy is the mid-1980s in the People’s Republic of Poland. Based on the writer-director’s own life and quirky family, this is a true audience pleaser.

film synopsis

The “back then” of this delightfully performed, laugh-out-loud-funny episodic family dramedy is the mid-1980s in the People’s Republic of Poland. Tween Marta, her little sister Kasia, and their tart-tongued grandmother (who tells the girls gory stories about insurgents rather than fairy tales) all share a room in their tiny apartment. In the adjacent room are the parents, engineer Tadek and factory worker and Solidarity leader Elżbieta. Tadek has perfected a system for Poland’s ever-present queues: he sends Marta to stand in line until just before the business opens. His wife scoffs, "That line freak would buy a tank if people were queuing up for it!" Times are tough. But while Tadek and Elżbieta may secretly covet some of the material goods owned by her more prosperous brother, their own quirky family unit is rich in love and kindness.

film details

Director: Kinga Debska
Producers: Zbigniew Domagalski
Screenwriter: Kinga Debska
Cinematographers: Andrzej Wojciechowski
Editor: Bartosz Karczyński
Music: Michal Novinski
Cast: Alina Falana
Original Language Title: Zupa Nic
Country: Poland
Language: In Polish with English subtitles.
Year: 2021
Running Time: 94 minutes
Director Filmography: Playing Hard (2018), Plan B (2018), These Daughters of Mine (2015)
Primary Company: Studio Filmowe Kalejdoskop
Contact Email: zbigniew.domagalski@wfdif.com.pl

Film Festival 2022