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Episode:

“Brother”, interview with director Maciej Sobieszczański
Category: TV & Film
Duration: 00:11:47
Publish Date: 2026-04-01 10:52:21
Description:

At this year’s Kinoteka Polish Film Festival in London, Maciej Sobieszczański presented “Brother” as the closing night gala: a quietly powerful coming-of-age drama exploring family, absence and resilience. Speaking to Fred Film Radio, the director reflected on the real-life inspiration behind the film, his approach to performance and visual storytelling, and the importance of leaving audiences with a sense of hope.

A story born from a single image

Maciej Sobieszczański traced the origins of “Brother”  back to a striking real-life moment: a young boy speaking to his imprisoned father through a prison wall. That encounter became the emotional foundation of the film, capturing a child’s desperate need for connection and the absence of a father figure. From this image grew a story about brotherhood, emotional survival and the quiet ways children process complex realities.

Silence, distance and emotional “bubbles”

The film’s restrained style, where as much is left unsaid as spoken, was a deliberate creative choice. Working closely with cinematographer Jolanta Dylewska, Maciej Sobieszczański envisioned each character as living in their own “bubble”, struggling to communicate emotions they cannot fully articulate. This extends to the father’s presence, which remains partially obscured, reinforcing both fear and ambiguity before ultimately revealing something more human and ordinary.

Trusting actors and finding light

Central to the film’s authenticity was Maciej Sobieszczański’s process with his young cast, built on trust and creating a safe, open space for naturalistic performances. He also highlighted the complexity of the mother’s character, shaped by both strength and darker impulses, resisting easy judgement. While “Brother” inhabits a world of tension and hardship, Sobieszczański was committed to ending on a note of hope, offering audiences a sense of light after navigating its emotional depths.

The post “Brother”, interview with director Maciej Sobieszczański appeared first on Fred Film Radio.
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