Tricks – Sztuczky (2007)

Directed by: Andrzej Jakimowski | 95 minutes | drama | Actors: Damian Ul, Ewelina Walendziak, Tomasz Sapryk, Rafal Guzniczak, Iwona Fornalczyk, Joanna Liszowska, Andrzej Golejewski, Grzegorz Stelmaszewski, Simeone Matarelli, Krzysztof Lawniczak, Roman Baranowiczelli, Katyka-Koleczellie Mankowska, Dariusz Bronowicki, Mieczyslaw Dziekanski, Lidia Michaluszek, Aleksandra Zaczek, Andrzej Lanczont, Marzena Kipiel-Sztuka

In ‘Tricks’ we experience a long hot summer in a Polish provincial town. We follow six-year-old Stefek and his eighteen-year-old sister Élka, young people with their own concerns and desires. Stefek wants nothing more than to have a real father around, Élka doesn’t quite know what she wants: a quiet life with car mechanic Jerzy or a flashy career at the local branch of an Italian company. Brother and sister spend long days in parks and at the picturesque station, where they often do nothing more than observe.

Despite the minimal plot, ‘Tricks’ turns out to be an exciting art-house film. This is partly due to the fantasy that brother and sister have. Both live in their own world, and by following their daily actions we slowly get to know that world. By following Stefek’s gaze, with the camera often at child height, we see what he sees and we experience his amazement about railway signals, market traders and sunbathing adults.

Equally amusing is the assortment of tricks (the ‘tricks’ from the title) that run like a thread through the film. Stefek tries again and again to let the pigeons of the local pigeon fancier fly away from their loft. The trick he devises for this is as ingenious as it is humorous. But sister Élka is also an expert in tricks, although hers are much more practical and never based on magic.

The most important quality of ‘Tricks’ is the way in which the non-professional actors give shape to their characters. Stefek, Élka and her boyfriend Jerzy are charming characters, who are portrayed lifelike by the actors. The brother and sister even resemble each other physically, with their stubbornly protruding lower lips and sullen look. From the first minute you become attached to those characters, loving nothing more than looking at their faces that suggest a world of thoughts and thoughts.

For example, ‘Tricks’ is one of those rare films that can’t last long enough. After an hour and a half of sharing joys and sorrows with brother and sister, it is hard to say goodbye. It is therefore not surprising that the good-natured, humorous, nostalgic and accessible ‘Tricks’ was a big hit in homeland Poland. This special film about ordinary people should not let any arthouse lover go. You also get a useful lecture on women and cars.