COMMUNION

Ola, 14, lives in Poland. After her mother leaves suddenly, she is forced to take charge of the household. Her father is adrift, growing ever more passive through alcoholism. Her little brother is autistic and needs a great deal of attention. Ola juggles cooking, homework and caring for her brother, who’s preparing for his first communion, through which she hopes to bring everyone together. In this first feature, Anna Zamecka shows herself to be an accomplished filmmaker with a keen eye. The beautifully filmed Communion captures Ola’s experiences sensitively, as she’s forced to leave childhood behind and take on adult responsibilities. This poignant portrait won the Critics’ Week Prize at the Locarno Festival.