Born in Kraków, Malgorzata Szumowska is one of the most prominent Polish directors of today, and has been honored with several international awards, including the Teddy Award for “In the Name of” at the 2013 Berlin Film Festival, and the Silver Leopard Award for “33 Scenes From Life” at the 2008 Locarno Film festival. Her other credits include “Elles,” “Body,” which won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 65th Berlinale, and “Mug,” which was awarded the Grand Jury Prize at the 2018 Berlinale.
“The Other Lamb” will premiere at the 2019 BFI London Film Festival on October 11.
W&H: Describe the film for us in your own words.
MS: The film is a fucked up, crazy, and intense story about the awakening sexuality of a young girl. It’s about discovering the abusive nature of mankind, and about a falling patriarchy.
W&H: What drew you to this story?
MS: The mostly female cast drew me to the story! Also, the story is something fresh — it’s a very new perspective.
W&H: What do you want people to think about when they are leaving the theater?
MS: Wow, they did it! But then again, maybe there is something wrong behind that.
W&H: What was the biggest challenge in making the film?
MS: The biggest challenge in making this film was having people trust and follow me.
W&H: What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
MS: When I was seven years old, I watched “Death in Venice” by Luchino Visconti. I thought it was a very boring and old fashioned film, but so intense at that time, full of beauty and power.
Watching the film changed my life, and it stayed in me and my soul. After many years, when I was 22 years old, I thought, “Why not try to make such a piece of art using a camera? More like a poem than film!” That’s how I started and have come to where I am now.
W&H: What’s the best and worst advice you’ve received?
MS: Best advice: Don’t look around, go straight to the result. And also you shouldn’t care what people are saying behind your back — it doesn’t count.
Worst advice: “Oh my God, look at what people are saying.”
W&H: What advice do you have for other female directors?
MS: Agnieszka Holland is my mentor — she helps me a lot. My advice for other female directors is what she has showed me: have tough skin and be a badass, but at the same time have friendships, relationships, and live life.
W&H: Name your favorite woman-directed film and why.
MS: My favorite woman-directed film is “You Were Never Really Here,” directed by Lynne Ramsay. It’s a mix of a hardcore, violent film with a genre touch, but so deep and touching, and says so much about loneliness. It was done in such a modern, sophisticated way. I admire it.
W&H: What differences have you noticed in the industry since the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements launched?
MS: There’s been a lot of difference in the industry for the better, but of course there’s still a lot to do.
