Private Project

Elephant

Polish response to BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN. Bartek (22) runs a small horse farm in the mountains in Poland. He had to become head of the family when his father left and his mother fell apart. One day their neighbour dies and his son Dawid (32) comes back to the village for funeral. Bartek becomes fascinated by Dawid and his carefreeness. First love will force him to decide if he’s ready to choose his freedom above family obligations.

  • Kamil Krawczycki
    Director
  • Kamil Krawczycki
    Writer
  • Jakub Mroz
    Producer
  • Jan Hrynkiewicz
    Key Cast
    "Bartek"
  • Pawel Tomaszewski
    Key Cast
    "Dawid"
  • Ewa Skibinska
    Key Cast
    "Mother"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Słoń
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    LGBT
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 33 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    June 30, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    150,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Poland
  • Country of Filming:
    Poland
  • Language:
    Polish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2,35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • New Horizons International Film Festival
    Wroclaw
    Poland
    July 27, 2022
    World Premiere
    Special Screening
  • Polish Film Festival
    Gdynia
    Poland
    September 13, 2022
    Best Film in microbudget category
  • Oslo Fusion
    Oslo
    Norway
    September 23, 2022
    Audience Award
  • Cinema Diverse
    Palm Springs
    United States
    September 15, 2022
    International Premiere
  • Reeling Film Festival
    Chicago
    United States
    September 22, 2022
    Jury Award Best Narrative Feature
Distribution Information
  • Tongariro Releasing
    Sales Agent
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
  • TLA Releasing
    Distributor
    Country: United States
    Rights: All Rights
    Country: Canada
    Rights: All Rights
    Country: United Kingdom
    Rights: All Rights
  • Optimale
    Distributor
    Country: France
    Rights: All Rights
  • Salzgeber
    Distributor
    Country: Germany
    Rights: All Rights
    Country: Austria
    Rights: All Rights
    Country: Switzerland
    Rights: All Rights
  • Mezipatra
    Distributor
    Country: Czech Republic
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Kamil Krawczycki

Kamil Krawczycki was born in 1990 in Zakopane. He graduated from Warsaw Film School and Wajda School. He directed two short films („The End of My World”, „The Last One”) and several music videos. “Elephant” is his debut feature film. In his films he wants to focus on characters which are often marginalized by society in Poland.

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Director Statement

In my film I come back to my hometown in Southern Poland, the region with the most breathtaking nature but pretty hard to live in when you are gay. This is a story of a young guy who had to become head of the family when his father left, and his mother fell apart. Family obligations affect his freedom, but he manages to hide his desires. I wanted to portray a character who is vulnerable and strong at the same time. I know that many queer people in Poland can relate to that. By telling this story I wanted to pay tribute to them and give them a bit of hope which is needed right now in Poland.