Cold War, 2018

I have always wanted to write about this movie which is a realist portrayal of love(not the usual cheesy ones) and hardships in a politically tumultuous times. Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski, Cold War guides us through the emotional journey of a Polish couple, living in the post World War era. The title of the movie may suggest a political thrust, but this is a movie in which political conflict is incorporated into the characters lives and relationship to a point where the political dynamic engulfs itself into the characters’ intractable cold war of heart. The cinematography and 4:3 aspect ratio acts as fitting pieces to a breathtaking tale and juxtaposing with the film’s main themes of freedom and imprisonment. I would call it a dark musical cause of the way it uses silence and leitmotifs to describe the inner turmoil of characters who can’t live apart at the same time can’t be together. I loved the way Pawlikowski used time leaps and left it up to the audience to fill the episodic gaps in the narrative. The perfect timing of music, whether it be old Polish folk,jazz or rock-and-roll, gives the movie its momentum and presents the characters in their relative stages of relationship. Cold war tells us about flawed and beautiful nature of human connection. There may come a time of insecurity and jealousy in a relationship that will compel us to choose paths that we don’t want to tread on. Its those choices that gives Cold war a disturbing sense of suspense. It uses love as a tool, which strengthens our capacity to stick with someone, because we see that their failings don’t make them unworthy of love.