The Noose

Dark and truthful about alcohol addiction. Dark streets of Krakow, dark moments. 24 hours in the life of a man ready to quit drinking...but will he make it? Some ready to help him, some ready to drag him down. Even the walls seem to play a part in the suspense. The same oppressiveness as in Bergman's Silence with the same intelligence in manipulating time sequences: a factual, step-by-step narrative becomes slowly warped, elliptic... Fine black-and-white photography, sharp dialogs. Sterling proof of Wojciech Has's talent and yet another example of how good Polish cinema was.

The (long and central) drinking scene with the ex-saxophonist wasted by vodka is a gem. Gustaw Holoubek is extraordinary throughout and the short form for the name of his character "Kuba" will probably remain ringing in your ears