This is the third full-length film by the Polish-Swedish director. von Horn’s work framed with virtuoso black-and-white photos by Michał Dymek (“IO”, “Supernova”), boldly mixes elements typical of a crime story, film noir, a neo-realistic parable and even an expressionist thriller, reminiscent of “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” in some places. The story, set just after World War I, is based on real events that shocked 20th-century Denmark. The titular girl with a needle, Karoline, becomes pregnant, loses her job at the factory and is left to her own devices.
This is another Lava Films production, behind which is the director-producer duo Magnus von Horn and Mariusz Włodarski. Previously, they collaborated on full-length films that were also selected in Cannes – “Intruz” and “Sweat”. Together they also made the short films “No Snow” and “Echo”. “Girl with a Needle” is also another production co-financed by the City of Łódź, which again became a filming set for a few days – adapted, among others, Błonia Łódzkie, halls at Łąkowa 29 or the studio at the Film School in Łódź. Over 200 Poles worked on “The Girl with a Needle” in almost every production department
The film will be released in Polish cinemas in 2025 by Gutek Film.
The film delights with the performances of the actors. Viewers will see the main character Vic Carmen Sonne, known from “Godland” and “Vacation”. The 30-year-old actress from Denmark shared her impressions of working in Poland in an interview for Interia. She had a very positive impression, even though she had never been to our country before.
“I come from a Polish, Ukrainian, Balkan, Middle Eastern refugee community, people who have migrated around the world for generations. I have never been to Poland before. I have no family that I know of that now lives in Poland or Ukraine,” she began. Vic.
Sonne didn’t have much experience with Polish customs, but when she started working on the film, Polish culture made a huge impression on her.
“I felt some kind of immediate connection to part of this culture. I don’t want to sit and pretend that I know Polish culture or news from the country, but I felt such commitment and devotion,” she admitted.
“In terms of the places we visited, I think this country is incredibly rich. Forests, industrial buildings and a lot of history. I feel that Poland is speaking. Does this make sense? She really has a voice,” added the actress.
It’s safe to say that she was enchanted by Poland, which helped her get into the role of Karoline even more.
See also: The future of Polish cinema? The young actor praises his cooperation with Agata Kulesza