Following the Second World War, musical director “Wiktor” (Tomasz Kot) searched for fresh talent to lead his Polish folk group. He and producer “Irena” (Agata Kukesza) traveled through recovering rural areas of Poland, but their search wasn't going well. After agreeing to establish a music school with official “Kaczmarek” (Borys Szyc), he noticed “Zula” (Joanna Kulig). She was driven and talented—able to sing and dance—and possessed an indefinable quality that he believed they needed. What began as a business deal quickly evolved into something deeper, but with the communists regaining power and establishing their iron curtain, it seemed unlikely anything could develop from their connection, or that he could be sure she wouldn’t reveal his actions if her career didn't progress as she wanted. Surprisingly, they achieved considerable success with an audience eager for distraction, quickly finding themselves under governmental control and given a set list that felt like manipulation. He grew weary of this oversight and decided to defect to Germany, hoping she would join him. When she hesitated, he left without her. It seemed like it might be the end, but perhaps it was the starkness of the black-and-white cinematography—which so elegantly presented this sweeping story of forbidden love—that allowed it to transcend melodrama and offer something more relatable. Kot and Kulig both deliver strong performances; they convey a sense that while there’s passion between them, these two aren't ideally suited for each other. It’s their contrasting personalities that make the characters so appealing, even if those characteristics occasionally strain believability, and I was left feeling uncertain about their prospects. The film combines intimate and detached visuals, accompanied by a vibrant score spanning classical to jazz music; it's a subtle commentary on two decades in Eastern Europe, where the performing arts were heavily regulated, and on a West that appeared more alluring than it truly was. Its imperfections actually enhanced the experience, and while I enjoyed it, I wouldn’t necessarily call it brilliant—I did find it captivating nonetheless.

Source on TMDB