I have always perceived cinema as a kind of game with the viewer, with his expectations and habits. ‘Mushrooms’ is – I hope – this kind of game that also tries to ask a few questions about the nature of truth and the condition of contemporary interpersonal relationships. I must admit that the pandemic period, in which the idea for the film was created, contributed greatly to these questions. Interpersonal contacts have become even more inhumane and have been dominated by distance and a sense of loneliness. The figure of aliens appearing in the film is, in a sense, a symbol of our times. We’re not very good at talking to each other or being honest, because it’s much easier to judge someone based on their social media profile and put them in some sort of box. This gives obvious comfort. I’m just trying to leave this comfort zone and go deeper into the forest – explained Paweł Borowski, director of “Mushrooms”.
The film tells the story of an elderly woman (Maria Maj) who, while picking mushrooms in the forest, encounters two young people dressed in noble costumes (Jędrzej Bigosiński and Paulina Walendziak). The sudden meeting causes consternation on both sides. The young people claim that they are lost, but they are strangely mysterious. On the one hand, they are happy that they have found someone who will be able to show them the way and guide them through areas unknown to them, but at the same time they are extremely distrustful. The old woman also has mixed feelings about the change in her plans. He wants to help the young people, but he doubts their stories and intentions. Their sparse explanations and perfunctory answers arouse the older woman’s increasing suspicions. The desperation and nervousness of the young create an atmosphere of uncertainty. The old woman feels threatened, and when she tries to lead the couple to the village, she is attacked. However, she is not as defenseless as she seems at first. The ending of the story will not leave anyone indifferent.
“The entire film is built around secrets and understatements, so I can’t say too much without giving away the plot. I know it all may sound quite vague, but in the case of this film, any spoiler would spoil the fun. (…) I’m working on I remember the set of ‘Mushrooms’ as a good and intense time. It so happens that we shot the film in the autumn, so we could find a lot of mushrooms in the forest, not only those that ‘played’ in our film, and I saw the guys from the studio in their free time the cinematographer collected them from time to time. One evening, after a whole day of shooting, Arek Tomiak built a makeshift kitchen and invited the entire crew to a mushroom feast! – recalls actor Jędrzej Bigosiński.
“In ‘Mushrooms’ I play an elderly woman who picks mushrooms in the forest. She is a bit strange and a bit normal. Smart and naive at the same time. I will remember working on this film for a long time. We shot it in eight days. It would not have been possible if we had commuted to the set from our homes. So, during the shooting, we moved to a hotel in Wyszków and from there we went to the forest every day. One day, I fell while trying to cross a branch. Then I had to heal my leg for half a year,” adds actress Maria Maj.
The film was premiered as part of the Polish Feature Film Competition during Mastercard Off Camera. He also qualified for festivals such as Fantastic Fest, Fantaspoa and Splat! Film Fest.
“Mushrooms” will be shown in arthouse cinemas throughout Poland from October 31, and from November 1 also at special screenings in selected Cinema City cinemas.
The film’s producer is Dynamo Films. Distribution Says Service Dobre Polskie Kino is responsible for its distribution.