The Pawnshop

While Łukasz Kowalski’s humour in his film "The Pawnshop" may well be pitch-black at times, it is also astutely compassionate as it dwells on staff and customers as they struggle to deal with their harsh lives.

Jola and Wiesiek are a pair of eccentric businessmen from Bytom. Together with their three employees they run probably the biggest pawnshop in Europe. However, the time of its glory has passed with the closure of nearby mines and growing unemployment in the city. Deprived of a livelihood, the inhabitants of "Polish Detroit" pawn increasingly absurd and useless objects. Neither Wiesiek's crazy marketing ideas nor Jola's tender heart can help the failing business – she supports her clients not only with a kind word but also with hot soup or a warm blanket.

Although the pawnshop brings losses, it becomes an important center of life for the local community. Soon, however, it finds itself on the brink of bankruptcy, and Jola and Wiesiek's relationship is put to the test. With disaster looming, the owners make one last attempt to save their business and their love.

Best documentary film awards at Athens International Film Festival and Astra Film Festival Sibiu.