All American High School Film Festival to Screen Two Films by Michal Aniol Tuczapski ’25

Two films by Michael Aniol Tuczapski ’25 – “The Bad Hour” and “The Grandfather” – will be screened at the 2022 All American High School Film Festival (AAHSFF) in New York City. The 10^th annual Festival, which runs from October 21-23, is the premier stage for the next generation of filmmakers.

Both films will be shown at the AMC Empire 25 Theatres in Times Square (234 West 42^nd Street, New York City). You can catch “The Bad Hour” on Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. (Theater 16) and “The Grandfather on Oct. 23 at 11:15 a.m. (Theater 21). Tickets are available on the AAHSFF website.

The new Third Former recently shared his creative inspirations, process, and thoughts on having two films selected for AAHSFF.

Can you please tell us about each film?

Michael Aniol Tuczapski: “The Bad Hour” presents an account of the first moments of the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the experiences associated with it and the consequences of these events from the point of view of the mother of a 7-year-old daughter whose husband is fighting to defend Ukraine, and who is in a refugee shelter in Poland.

What inspired me to make "The Bad Hour" was the tragic events that are currently happening in Ukraine and, as I was in Poland at the time where most of the refugees from Ukraine had arrived, I was able to use this opportunity to make the film.

“The Grandfather” shows a slice of reality, in which my grandfather tells me various events, especially from the past. I recorded my grandfather in natural situations, i.e. when he tells me about something, and he does it very often, because he wants to pass these stories to me. In some scenes of the film, he didn't even know he was being recorded.

Since I saw my grandparents after quite a long period of not seeing each other in person, I found very interesting the various stories that my grandfather told, over and over again, regardless of the situation. Also, I had a very nice scenery, so I decided to just start recording his stories. At first without any great intention, but later it began to form a very interesting story.

What were your roles in creating each film?

MAT: Since I did all the films myself, without the help of anyone else, all the roles belonged to me. It wasn't such a big challenge for me because I've always shot my films myself, so I learned each of the necessary tasks. To produce such a film, I could be a writer (although this is rather less frequent because I mostly make documentaries). A director, which I've always liked, to find and guide emotions. Camera operator by finding the right shots that evoke the right emotions, that's something I love. Editing, something I had to learn more out of compulsion, but I realized how important it is, because editing is what gives the final structure in a film.

Do you prefer to make documentaries?

MAT: At the present time, documentaries are my favorite, because making good documentaries does not require the same amount of resources and time as making good feature films. However, I think that no movie director will be unsatisfied with his career if he does not make some feature film, where he can tell his story 100 percent.

Which filmmakers do you consider your inspirations and why?

MAT: It would definitely have to be Krzysztof Kieslowski. He was a Polish movie director, starting with documentary films, which were very successful, as well as his later feature films. His works, including the most famous “Talking Heads” (Gadające głowy), “The Office” (Urząd), and “I Was a Soldier” (Byłem żołnierzem), are a great inspiration to me. I'm also inspired by Pedro Almodóvar, Woody Allen, and Luc Besson.

What are your favorite films?

MAT: Certainly my favorite film of all time would be "Catch Me If You Can," directed by Steven Spielberg. More recent films that have impressed me would definitely be "Pain and Glory," directed by Pedro Almodóvar, and "Official Competition," directed by Gastón Duprat and Mariano Cohn.

How did you feel when you found out that two of your films were selected for screening in the All American High School Film Festival?

MAT: The results of the films were announced live [and where I was it was] 4:00 a.m. Naturally I didn't sleep all night because I was too excited. After an hour the documentaries started to be announced, there were probably 30 titles read, and still mine wasn't there. I was 100 percent sure that this category was about to end, and that my film wasn't selected, but suddenly I heard, "The Bad Hour." I felt that what was happening was completely surreal. The worst part was that I couldn't share it with anyone close to me because everyone was asleep.

Later, the lists of selected films were shared on the Festival website, and I discovered that my second film was also chosen. This confirmed to me that it was not only the subject of the films that was interesting, but also the way they were made, so my skills were of great importance.

For additional information, contact Lisa M. Gillard H'17, director of public relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org.