Ida

I found Ida (2014) directed by Pawel Palikowski to be one of the more enjoyable films I have seen all year. The black and white cinematography by Lukasz Zal and Ryszard Lenczewski is astounding. In addition, it is shot with an aspect ratio of 1.37:1, which frames the image in a square reminiscent of vintage films. It creates a certain nostalgic mood and allows time travel back to the 1960s of the Polish People's Republic.  A young orphaned woman, Ida (Agata Tresbuchowscha), goes on a journey to reckon with her past before taking vows as a nun. The prioress of her convent puts her in contact with worldly her Aunt, Wanda (Agata Kulezsa in a scene stealing performance), a hard drinking man eating fallen Stalinist judge who reveals Ida's family history as a Jew. They learn the story of her parent's death and retrieve their bones and bury them in the family grave. Each woman finds a sense of solace and closure in this act. Ida also is introduced to the secular world through her aunt, mainly through their crossing paths with a yong jazz musician staying in the same town as they are. This allows her to make an informed choice about her future in the church. I suppose this film can be called a small, slice of life film, but it is also powerful film about memory, loss, and the individual.