Pawel Lozinski is an anthropologist and loves to study humans by his doorstep. He conceived this documentary called ‘The Balcony Movie’ (Polish: ‘Film balkonowy’), where the title literally represents what Pawel is doing in the movie, striking conversations with random people passing by his balcony. The documentary film made its premiere debut at the 2021 International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) on November 17.
What you see is what Pawel sees daily in the front of his home balcony in Warsaw, Poland. A typical quiet neighborhood with a sidewalk and grass and a wire fence. Pawel makes his observations by speaking with the random people who walk by his balcony during filming. It is a very intriguing concept, where the whole conversation is unscripted, with similar questions asked like who they are, what they do, and their thoughts on the meaning of life. With the sample of people coming in at random times, the audience gets to witness a melting pot of personalities ranging from those who just pass by without interest to those who end up sharing their life stories to the camera.
At the start of the documentary, it is a simple camera setup, just showing the people walking by. Some just walk by, while some noticed that there was a camera filming them, but continue to walk. Pawel then eventually attaches a microphone onto the fence and holds up a boom mic to get some better audio and prepare for his discussions with the people. He tries to stop several people to chat, but a majority of them were quick to shoot him down, some who feel they are not a good candidate, are in a rush, or does not care because life is crap.
Eventually, as more of the questions are being asked by Pawel in different ways, he would find a way to capture some people’s attention to have a brief conversation. There is also a brief scene where his wife and daughter come into the frame just to have a general chat discussing about the fact that he is making a movie.
The interesting concept of The Balcony Movie is how many of those who come into the film are just simply living, but without much real purpose or understanding about the meaning of life. The age ranges and conversations really show how vastly different conversations become when approached by Pawel. The kids are having simple innocent conversations about ice cream, to those who are in the workforce trying to build their careers, all the way to those who are faced with adversity in their lives and trying to find a new purpose in their life or just gave up their purpose, and finally to those who have lived through all of it and are content that they are living.
Those who around 20 and 30 somethings, are in their prime of their careers trying to make a living, and have more intent and curiosity to have camera time when Pawel mentions to them that he is making a film. Some would talk about their careers, talents, or something to promote themselves while having a conversation with him.
Those who are in their 40s, seem to have lived past a certain point of life where so much has happened in their lives and are focusing on their kids, getting out of a bad relationship, or just trying to figure out their purpose in life. And those who are in their 50s and 60s range from being senile to those who are simply happy living a healthy life. One memorable quote from an elderly lady simply stated that the meaning of life is simply “life is meaning”. We see a bit more of a confessional side for these age groups, like an opportunity for them to complain and let out their frustrations of the things that have happened in their lives and those who are around them and are trying to find a way to move on from it.
Many of the people’s stages in life gives a broad perspective on the multitude of facets that made the people who they are at that point in time of discussion. Pawel asking simple life questions which somehow gives enough depth into knowing some of the people he talked to a degree where the audience could relate to at least one of these interviewees to their lives. It is very intriguing how some just go on living thinking their life is not worth talking and just go about their ways of doing the routine they know, and makes you wonder if you do the same. It serves a great reminder to take a step back, slow down and really think about what your meaning of life is all about. It’s a beautiful concept, and a great way to see various walks of life passing by Pawel’s balcony.