Poland, Italy

Synopsis

EO, a grey donkey with melancholic eyes and a curious spirit, begins his life as a circus performer before escaping on a trek across the Polish and Italian countryside in a journey marked by absurdity and warmth in equal measure. Legendary filmmaker Jerzy Skolimowski directs one of his most free and visually inventive films yet, placing the viewer directly in the heart and mind of the four-legged protagonist.

Director's Statement

This film follows the travels of a nomadic grey donkey named EO. After being removed from the traveling circus, which is the only life he’s ever known, EO begins a trek across the Polish and Italian countryside, experiencing cruelty and kindness in equal measure, all the while observing the follies and triumphs of humankind. During his travels, EO is both helped and hindered by a cast of characters that includes a young Italian priest (Lorenzo Zurzolo), a Countess (Isabelle Huppert), and a rowdy Polish soccer team.

Immersive, stunning cinematography by Michal Dymek, coupled by Pawel Mykietyn's resonant score, puts the viewer in the perspective of the four-legged protagonist. EO’s journey speaks to the world around us, an equine hero boldly pointing out societal ills, and serving as warning to the dangers of neglect and inaction, all while on a quest for freedom.

Director's Biography

With over twenty films to his name, Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski’s work includes the Berlin Golden Bear winner THE DEPARTURE, Cannes Grand Prix winner THE SHOUT, the political drama MOONLIGHTING, and THE LIGHTSHIP, for which he won Best Director at the Venice Film Festival. He has also received the Golden Lion for the Lifetime Achievement from Venice Film Festival.
Skolimowski collaborated with Roman Polanski on the screenplay for KNIFE IN THE WATER and THE PALACE.
As an actor, he has appeared in WHITE NIGHTS, EASTERN PROMISES, BEFORE NIGHT FALLS and THE AVENGERS.
Skolimowski returned to Cannes as director in 2008 with the critically lauded thriller FOUR NIGHTS WITH ANNA, which opened the Director’s Fortnight and also won the Grand Prix de Jury at the Tokyo International Film Festival. ESSENTIAL KILLING, won Grand Prix de Jury at the Venice International Film Festival in 2010, Best Film in Mar del Plata International Film Festival, Best Film and Best Director at Gdynia Film Festival as well as Polish Film Academy (Golden Eagles).
Skolimowski is an accomplished painter who has taken part in the Venice Biennale and exhibited across Europe and the US.

FILMOGRAPHY:
2015 - 11 MINUTES, Feature
2010 - ESSENTIAL KILLING, Feature
2008 - FOUR NIGHTS WITH ANNA, Feature
1982 - MOONLIGHTING, Feature
1978 - THE SHOUT, Feature
1972 - KING, QUEEN, KNAVE, Feature
1970 - DEEP END, Feature
1970 - THE ADVENTURES OF GERRARD, Feature
1967 - THE DEPARTURE, Feature
1965 - WALKOVER, Feature
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Cast & Crew

Directed by: Jerzy Skolimowski

Written by: Ewa Piaskowska, Jerzy Skolimowski

Produced by: Ewa Piaskowska, Jerzy Skolimowski, Eileen Tasca

Cinematography: Michal Dymek, Pawel Edelman, Michal Englert

Editing: Agnieszka Glinska

Production Design: Miroslaw Koncewicz

Costume Design: Katarzyna Lewinska

Make-Up & Hair: Aleksandra Dutkiewicz, Weronika Zielinska

Original Score: Pawel Mykietyn

Sound: Radoslaw Ochnio

Visual Effects: Filip Kaczorek, Mariusz Swiader, Oskar Pospolitak

Casting: Paulina Krajnik, Jorgelina Pochintesta

Cast: Sandra Drzymalska (Kasandra), Tomasz Organek (Ziom), Mateusz Kosciukiewicz (Mateo), Lorenzo Zurzolo (Vito), Isabelle Huppert (The Countess)

Nominations and Awards

  • European Original Score 2022
  • European University Film Award 2022
  • European Director 2022
  • Feature Film Selection 2022