Cicha noc

The first reviewer wrote: "Maybe by Polish standards this is jewel". Quite wrong. A list of films made in Poland better than this one would be very long, with this one pretty close to the bottom of the complete list. The actors are not bad, this is true, but the script is nonsensical. There is a German Christmas carol "Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht", quite popular in Central Europe, and Cicha noc = Stille Nacht = Quiet night. However, this film title is a mockery. Christmas in this film is nothing but quiet. We have a large number of characters - but wishing them well on the part of the viewer would be difficult - perhaps except for the mother of Adam and except for the young girl. The Netherlands are presented as so far away as if in the southern hemisphere. Why the girlfriend of the main hero did not visit him repeatedly during his stay abroad? Why is the grandfather of Adam described early as very drunk, while throughout the film he is making more sense than the most of them? If you wish to see a good Polish comedy made just one year before this one, watch Planeta singli = The Planet of the singles.

The Christmas depicted in this film has something truly polish in it. I think it can be only understood by the East-Europeans, especially living in small communities. Emigrants who are living in between two countries - none of which is their true home. Broken families, alcohol addiction, tough siblings relations. The story where everyone has something to prove but yet, no one really can. Definitely worth watching, considering the fact that the film has few surprises as the story goes.

Cicha noc paints a poignant and intimate portrait of family dynamics. The film follows a man named Adam, who returns home for the holidays after a long time away. What unfolds is a mix of warmth and tension, as old wounds and unresolved issues come to the surface during what's supposed to be a festive time. What I really loved about the film was its ability to blend humor with heartache. It captures those awkward family moments we all can relate to, whether it's the probing questions from relatives or the unspoken rivalries that simmer just below the surface. The cinematography is beautifully done, with cozy, atmospheric shots that make you feel right in the middle of this family's Christmas gathering. The performances are top-notch, especially from the lead actor, who brings a raw honesty to his role. You can feel his struggle, and it resonated with me on many levels. It's a film that embraces the bittersweet nature of family life, reminding us that while family can be a source of love and support, it also comes with its fair share of baggage.

It is a heartfelt exploration of the complexities of family gatherings. Good for a cozy night in when you want something that will make you laugh, reflect, and maybe even shed a tear.

@deloudelouvain Who did not grow up in Poland will never truly understand and feel this movie. Especially an American person who has no idea how it feels to be a work immigrant in another country when people treat you as a 2nd grade person, how it feels to leave your family behind or how it feels for families to be alone.

I guess I have the honor to be the first one to write a review for this movie. I have a couple questions though. Why is this movie listed in the comedy genre? Because if one thing is for sure it is that you won't laugh, not once, unless I don't get the Polish humor. It's just a drama, a story about a Polish family at Christmas, with their issues and problems. My next question would be, why did this movie won awards in Poland? Is it really that good to you and is there really no better movies in Poland than this one? Because to me Silent Night was just an average movie, nothing to be thrilled about. The acting isn't bad, but nothing special either. It's one of those movies I just watch to kill time and that I will completely forget about it the next day. Maybe at Polish standards this is a jewel, I can't really compare since I think this was my first Polish movie, but honestly it's really nothing special.