Simulacrum

The story explores the life and work of the contemporary Polish photographer Krzysztof “Kris” Marchlak. The documentary focuses specifically on the artist’s reinterpretation of Quattrocento and Mannerist iconography of Saint Sebastian through the medium of artistic photography. “Simulacrum” was directed by Weronika Plińska and Wojciech Jankowski. The film was shot between 2023 and 2025 in Poland and Italy as part of an ethnographic research project based on interviews and participant observation, which examined creative documentary filmmaking as a tool for exploring contemporary art practices.

  • Weronika Plińska
    Director
    Alter ego
  • Wojciech Jankowski
    Director
    The Flash Point/Punkt zapalny
  • Weronika Plińska
    Writer
    Alter ego
  • University of the National Education Commission in Cracow, Poland
    Producer
  • Krzysztof Kris Marchlak
    Key Cast
  • Wojciech Jankowski
    Cinematography
    The Flash Point/Punkt zapalny, Alter ego
  • Igor Kawecki
    Cinematography
    Eye of the God, Alter ego
  • Anna Pichura
    Cinematography
  • Wojciech Jankowski
    Editing
    The Flash Point/Punkt zapalny, Alter ego
  • Concetta Grazia Coleandrea
    Translation
  • Davide Chiorrini Dezi
    Translation
  • MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art in Cracow
    Patronage
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Simulacrum
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    20 minutes 20 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 10, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    Poland
  • Country of Filming:
    Italy, Poland
  • Language:
    Italian, Polish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art
    Cracow
    Poland
    April 25, 2025
    Pre-premiere screening
  • MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art
    Cracow
    Poland
    April 24, 2025
    Part of the exhibition "Krzysztof Marchlak. Sleeping beauty" curated by Stach Szabłowski: from April 24, 2025 until September 7, 2025.
  • Swedenborg Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    December 8, 2025
    Official selection
  • Octopus Marquee Independent Film Festival
    Online Event
    United States
    December 21, 2025
    Official Selection 2025
  • Spotlight on Academics
    Thunderbay
    Canada
    Official Selection 2026
  • Harvard Divinity School Film Fest
    Cambridge, Massachusetts
    United States
    February 28, 2026
    Finalist
Director Biography - Weronika Plińska, Wojciech Jankowski

Weronika Plińska - cultural anthropologist, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Art and Design, University of the National Education Commission in Cracow, Poland. In addition to her book and numerous academic articles, she has authored two documentaries.

Wojciech Jankowski - cinematographer, film director, sound and image editor.

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