Interview Paweł Pawlikowski – COLD WAR

Summary

In a candid interview, award-winning Polish filmmaker Pawel Pawlikowski discusses his creative process and personal inspirations behind his latest film Cold War. He reveals how the complicated 40-year relationship of his late parents served as the ghostly inspiration, though he notes the finished film diverges into its own autonomous story. Pawlikowski explains his unique directing approach of elliptical storytelling and extended pre-production, spending long periods of time organically workshopping with actors and crew to slowly sculpt each scene. He strives for a graceful synthesis of acting, cinematography and production design captured in single takes. While accolades like the Oscar are validating high points, Pawlikowski stresses filmmaking always remains creatively challenging.

Takeaways

• 👨‍🎨 Films help Pawlikowski organize his life and mark different mental stages
• 🎥 He prefers an elliptic, restrained style over typical biopic approaches
• 🎞️ The idea for Cold War came from the story of his own parents
• 🎵 Music plays a key role connecting the two protagonists
• 🎬 He slowly approached making the film over a long pre-production
• � hat He spends a lot of time working with actors before filming
• 🎥 Pawlikowski tries not to use coverage and cut within the camera frame
• 🎬 He may do 27 takes to get the image, acting, and background in sync
• 👏 Winning an Oscar helps career-focused directors, but he sticks to his own ideas
• 😢 His parents' absence after their death has been very present in his life

Q & A

How does making films help Pawlikowski organize his life?

Pawlikowski says making films helps him organize his life and mental stages at different moments. His films are like markers along the way.

Why didn't Pawlikowski want to make a film directly about his parents?

He felt a film directly about his parents over 40 years would be too messy, with too many stages and separations. Also, he knew them too closely to have enough distance.

How did the addition of music help shape the Cold War story?

The music brought more autonomy and flow to the Cold War story. It showed how the characters meet through music, stick together with it, and reflect their crises through it.

What was the advantage of Pawlikowski's long pre-production phase?

The long pre-production let him slowly approach the film, rewriting it constantly. This time as the "best sculptor," letting the story marinate.

Why does Pawlikowski do so many takes of each scene?

He tries not to shoot with coverage from different angles, but cut each scene in the camera. This requires getting many elements right in one take - acting, lighting, framing, extras.

How did the lead actress prepare for her dancing role?

Joanna Kulig spent 6 months twice a week with a folk ensemble, learning choreography and steps. This immense effort also helped her imagine her character's inner life.

What piano skills did the lead actor Thomas have to learn?

Thomas had to learn to realistically play piano, pretend conduct, and more - skills that took time but helped him inhabit his musical character.

Why was flexibility built into the filming schedule and budget?

Pawlikowski knew from experience he might scrap or add scenes during filming, so flexibility for this approach was planned for schedule and budget.

How did Pawlikowski bring the actors together beforehand?

He had Joanna and Thomas spend time together - dancing, piano lessons, meetings - to develop chemistry before filming began.

How have Oscars and recognition impacted Pawlikowski's career path?

While validating, they haven't changed his path - he continues making personal films driven by his own ideas and territory rather than pursuing a Hollywood career.