Michał Marczak’s ‘Closure’: A Father’s Quest Captured on Film
Polish filmmaker Michał Marczak, widely recognized for his acclaimed documentary “All These Sleepless Nights,” is set to embark on a poignant new project titled “Closure.” The documentary, which will follow a father’s search for his missing teenage son beneath the depths of Poland’s Vistula River, has garnered attention following its selection during the Pitching Forum at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival.
The Genesis of ‘Closure’
During a routine location scouting for a different film along the Vistula River, Marczak encountered Daniel, the subject of his new documentary. Armed with advanced technology including a sonar device and a drone, Daniel was searching for his son, who had gone missing. Intrigued, Marczak and his team soon learned about the tragic backstory that propelled Daniel’s ongoing quest.
“We were wondering: what in the world is this man doing? Is he a treasure hunter? Then we sat by the fire at night and he told us the whole story and we ended up helping him,” Marczak remarked.
A Powerful Narrative
On an emotionally charged day, Daniel discovered a skull while searching, which turned out to be that of a six-year-old child. Marczak reflected on the profound emotions displayed by Daniel at that moment, likening it to an epic tragedy deserving of a long-format film.
Building Trust with the Family
Marczak noted the necessity of establishing a close relationship with Daniel and his family, especially since they were already accustomed to media attention due to the widespread news coverage of the case in Poland.
“It was all about building that close relationship. I wasn’t sure if I could propose this film… We realized we could make something meaningful,” he shared, emphasizing his appreciation for the family’s trust in him.
Reflecting on Career Developments
Marczak explained the nearly decade-long gap since his previous documentary, stating that he needed a break to focus on writing. Having entered the filmmaking realm at a young age, he spent five years honing his craft in writing fictional narratives, resulting in multiple projects currently in development.
While sharing details about his upcoming fiction works, Marczak refrained from revealing specifics but disclosed that one is a U.S. co-production alongside other European projects.
The Challenges of Documentary Filmmaking
Marczak also spoke candidly about the hurdles faced in the documentary filmmaking industry, particularly regarding funding. He expressed frustration over the prolonged financing process for “All These Sleepless Nights,” which discouraged him from pursuing immediate projects.
“If you think about it, they are not putting big amounts in documentaries and there are so many strings attached. It makes the process so tedious,” Marczak contended, advocating for a streamlined approach to documentary funding.
A Call for Change in Funding Practices
According to Marczak, the bureaucratic obstacles can hinder European co-productions. He emphasized the need for financiers and co-producers to collaborate and simplify the funding process, given the often time-sensitive nature of documentary storytelling.
“In a perfect world, I would love for financiers, co-producers, and funds to come together and simplify this process,” he concluded.
Production Team
“Closure” is being produced by Monika Braid of Braidmade Films, co-produced by Gregor Streiber of Inselfilm Produktion, and features executive production by Karolina Marczak.