"King Matt the First," a mesmerizing new documentary helmed by Polish auteur Jaśmina Wójcik, whose credits include "Symphony of the Ursus Factory," is poised to make its grand world debut within the esteemed International Spectrum Competition at the 32nd annual Hot Docs Canadian Documentary Festival, spanning from April 24th to May 4th. In an exclusive collaboration, The Hollywood Reporter unveils the preliminary trailer of this poignant film, inspired by the homonymous novel penned by Janusz Korczak, alias Henryk Goldszmit, that delves into the intricate bond of two sisters.
The film's synopsis weaves a tale where the lives of Zoja and Lea are interwoven with shared games, awe-inspiring discoveries, and heartfelt conversations, interspersed with their everyday squabbles and disagreements. At first glance, these doppelgängers exhibit an exceptional sibling connection, their resemblance striking and their bond seemingly unbreakable. Yet, as the sands of time slip through their fingers, Zoja, the elder sibling, starts to drift apart from Lea. She finds herself losing interest in their childhood pastimes of playing in the sand and swimming in the river, retreating into the solace of books and spending more time with her peers than her sister. Despite their diverging paths, both girls harbor a profound fear of stepping into adulthood, perceiving it as a harbinger of peril. They witness adults turning a blind eye to the destruction of their world, ignoring environmental disasters and fanning the flames of war.
Korczak's novel introduces a ten-year-old ruler with audacious theories for state reform but falls short in practical application. In a similar vein, Wójcik's documentary invites viewers into a realm untethered by adult hierarchies and constraints, where young souls stand on the precipice of adulthood.
"This film epitomizes the zenith of my quest as a mother, artist, director, educator, and a compassionate human being," remarks Wójcik. "It serves as a personal advocacy for the preservation of childhood, acknowledging the pure essence of humanity within children, trusting in them, and heeding their openness and needs—all while maintaining a nurturing environment and ensuring safety, a responsibility that rests squarely on adults' shoulders."
Written between the two World Wars, Korczak's novel mirrors the film's creation amidst a backdrop of conflict and crisis, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
"The film stands as a clarion call for a sensitivity revolution, one that learns from the wisdom of children and rekindles our connection with our inner child," concludes Wójcik.
Produced by Marta Dużabel and Agnieszka Rostropowicz for Pinot Films, with FixaFilm, the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, Wójcik, and Jakub Wróblewski as co-producers, "King Matt the First" was co-financed by the Polish Film Institute. The exclusive trailer captures the evocative visuals and profound emotions that await moviegoers, with one of the sisters pondering, "When I grow up, will I remember what it's like to be a child?"
