# Cold War

> 2018 film directed by Paweł Pawlikowski

**Wikidata**: [Q51834363](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q51834363)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_War_(2018_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cold-war

## Summary

Cold War is a drama and romance film [1]. It received widespread recognition at the European Film Awards, winning in multiple categories.The film earned the European Film Award for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Screenwriter, and Best Editor [2][3]. Additionally, it was honored with the People’s Choice Award for Best European Film [2][3].

## Summary
Cold War is a 2018 Polish film directed by Paweł Pawlikowski. It is a romantic drama set against the backdrop of the Cold War era, exploring a passionate but turbulent relationship between two people from different backgrounds.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Paweł Pawlikowski, released in 2018
- Genre: Drama and romance film
- Country of origin: Poland, France, and United Kingdom
- Production company: Opus Film
- IMDb ID: tt6543652
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 92%
- Metacritic score: 90/100
- Runtime: 84 minutes
- Language: Polish, French, and Russian
- Color: Black and white
- Aspect ratio: 1.37:1
- Awards: Won European Film Award for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Screenwriter, and Best Editor in 2018
- Nominations: Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, BAFTA for Best Film Not in the English Language

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Cold War?**
Cold War follows the story of a musical director and a young singer who fall in love in post-World War II Poland. Their relationship spans several decades and countries as they navigate political upheaval, personal ambitions, and the challenges of their different backgrounds.

**Who are the main actors in Cold War?**
The film stars Joanna Kulig as Zula and Tomasz Kot as Wiktor. Kulig won the European Film Award for Best Actress for her performance.

**What languages are spoken in Cold War?**
The film features dialogue in Polish, French, and Russian, reflecting the international settings and characters' backgrounds.

**What awards did Cold War win?**
Cold War won five European Film Awards in 2018, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Screenwriter, and Best Editor. It was also nominated for three Academy Awards and three BAFTAs.

**What is the significance of the black and white cinematography?**
The black and white cinematography creates a timeless, documentary-like quality that enhances the historical setting and emotional intensity of the story. It also reflects the stark contrasts in the characters' lives and the political climate of the era.

## Why It Matters
Cold War matters as a masterful example of international cinema that bridges cultural and political divides through personal storytelling. The film demonstrates how intimate human relationships can illuminate broader historical and political contexts, making the Cold War era accessible and emotionally resonant for contemporary audiences. Its success at major film festivals and awards ceremonies highlights the global appeal of Polish cinema and the universal nature of love, loss, and artistic expression.

The film's technical achievements, particularly its cinematography and sound design, set new standards for period filmmaking. Its exploration of music as both a cultural expression and political tool adds depth to the narrative, showing how art can both unite and divide people across ideological boundaries.

## Notable For
- Won five European Film Awards in 2018, including Best Film and Best Director
- Nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Foreign Language Film, Best Director, and Best Cinematography
- Shot entirely in black and white with a 1.37:1 aspect ratio
- Features a soundtrack that blends traditional Polish folk music with jazz and classical compositions
- Directed by Paweł Pawlikowski, who also directed the Oscar-winning Ida
- Runtime of 84 minutes, making it a concise yet emotionally powerful narrative
- Stars Joanna Kulig, who won Best Actress at the European Film Awards
- Set across multiple countries including Poland, France, and Yugoslavia
- Explores themes of love, politics, and artistic expression during the Cold War era

## Body

### Production and Creative Team
Cold War was directed by Paweł Pawlikowski, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Janusz Głowacki and Piotr Borkowski. The film was produced by Ewa Puszczyńska for Opus Film, with co-production support from France (MK2 Films) and the United Kingdom (BBC Films). The cinematography was handled by Łukasz Żal, who received an Academy Award nomination for his work. The editing was done by Jarosław Kamiński, who won the European Film Award for Best Editor.

### Cast and Characters
The film features Joanna Kulig as Zula, a young singer with a troubled past, and Tomasz Kot as Wiktor, a musical director. Supporting cast includes Borys Szyc as Lech Kaczmarek, Agata Kulesza as Irena, and Jeanne Balibar as Juliette. The actors performed their own singing, adding authenticity to the musical performances that are central to the story.

### Music and Sound Design
The soundtrack blends traditional Polish folk music with jazz and classical compositions, reflecting the characters' journey across different cultural landscapes. The music was supervised by Marcin Kasiński, with original songs composed by Marcin Masecki. The sound design by Martin Pavey creates an immersive atmosphere that enhances the emotional impact of key scenes.

### Historical Context and Setting
The film spans the years 1949 to 1964, covering the early Cold War period in Europe. It begins in rural Poland, moves to urban centers like Warsaw and Berlin, and eventually reaches Paris and Yugoslavia. The historical backdrop includes the Stalinist era in Poland, the formation of the Eastern Bloc, and the cultural divide between East and West Europe.

### Cinematography and Visual Style
Shot in black and white with a 1.37:1 aspect ratio, the film creates a distinctive visual style that evokes both classic Hollywood cinema and Eastern European documentary traditions. The cinematography uses natural lighting and carefully composed frames to create a sense of intimacy and historical authenticity. The aspect ratio choice emphasizes the characters' isolation within their environments.

### Reception and Critical Response
Cold War received widespread critical acclaim upon its release. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 92% approval rating based on 248 reviews, with an average rating of 8.6/10. Metacritic gives it a score of 90 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim." Critics praised the film's emotional depth, technical excellence, and historical resonance.

### Awards and Recognition
The film's success at major awards ceremonies includes:
- European Film Awards 2018: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress (Joanna Kulig), Best Screenwriter, Best Editor
- Academy Award nominations: Best Foreign Language Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography
- BAFTA nominations: Best Film Not in the English Language, Best Director, Best Cinematography
- Cannes Film Festival: Nominated for the Palme d'Or

### Distribution and Release
Cold War premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2018, where it competed for the Palme d'Or. It received theatrical releases in Poland on August 31, 2018, in France on October 31, 2018, and in the United Kingdom on November 30, 2018. The film was distributed internationally by MK2 Films and Curzon Artificial Eye.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
The film has been recognized as a significant contribution to Polish cinema and international filmmaking. Its success has helped raise the profile of Polish directors and actors on the global stage. The film's exploration of love and politics during the Cold War continues to resonate with audiences, offering insights into historical divisions while highlighting universal human experiences.

### Technical Specifications
- Format: DCP (Digital Cinema Package)
- Aspect ratio: 1.37:1
- Color: Black and white
- Sound format: Dolby Digital
- Runtime: 84 minutes
- Language: Polish, French, Russian (with English subtitles for international release)

### Related Works and Director's Style
Cold War represents the third collaboration between Paweł Pawlikowski and cinematographer Łukasz Żal, following Ida (2013) and The Woman in the Fifth (2011). The film shares thematic elements with Pawlikowski's previous works, including explorations of identity, history, and personal relationships against political backdrops. The director's signature style of concise storytelling and visual elegance is evident throughout the film.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/2019.905.0.html)
2. europeanfilmawards.eu
3. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
4. FilmPolski.pl
5. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/Winners-2018.832.0.html)
6. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/Winners-2019.899.0.html)
7. The Movie Database
8. Cold War
9. Cold War. Rotten Tomatoes
10. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmawards.eu/en_EN/film/cold-war.11524)
11. Danish Film Database
12. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
13. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/2018-Selections.834.0.html)
14. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/Nominations-2018.833.0.html)
15. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2019)
16. BBC Things
17. [Source](https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/cold-war-2018)
18. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=452730)
19. Entertainment Identifier Registry
20. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
21. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/146225)
22. [Source](http://justica.gov.br/news/collective-nitf-content-1549548663.12)
23. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
24. [Source](https://sede.mcu.gob.es/webicaa/Ficheros/133418/34/133418/1/209.pdf)
25. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=16016)
26. [Source](http://www.rtc.gob.mx/NuevoSitio/cine_clasif_35mm.php?cd=469)
27. Bechdel Test Movie List
28. IMDb
29. [Source](https://www.rcq.gouv.qc.ca/RCQ212AfficherFicheTech.asp?intNoFilm=414072)
30. TheTVDB
31. FilmVandaag.nl