SYMMETRY (SYMETRIA) International Feature Competition

Drawing upon his own personal experience, writer/director Konrad Niewolski has crafted a provocative character study that questions how an innocent, educated, humane man could possibly survive months of unfair imprisonment with hardened criminals.

Falsely identified in a police line-up and placed into custody awaiting trial, mild-mannered Lukasz must deal with cellmates who pose an immediate threat, but may not be what they seem. As the days drag into months, Lukasz senses that his personality is slowly being eroded by the prison’s pervasive code of criminal ethics: The oppressively small cells and corridors, the iron bars and barbed wire-all serve as reminders that Lukasz is trapped and may never taste freedom again.

The twisting musical score by Michal Lorenc and the claustrophobic production design (by director Niewolski) add to the increasing futility felt by Lukasz. The film cuts deeply into preconceived notions about justice and the penal system worldwide.