Cold War

Cold War follows a composer named Wiktor and a young singer, Zula, who meet in the ruins of postwar Poland. He is scouting traditional melodies for a new folk song and dance ensemble, and she becomes one of its performers. Despite their different backgrounds, the two begin a relationship, but the ensemble's repertoire comes under growing political pressure. When an engagement in East Berlin gives Wiktor a chance to defect to the West, he takes it, while Zula stays behind. Over the following years their paths cross again in different cities, including Paris, where both have moved on in their lives and careers even as their connection persists. Politics, circumstance and their own choices keep pulling them apart and back together.

Paweł Pawlikowski directed and co-wrote the film with Janusz Głowacki and Piotr Borkowski. It followed Ida in his filmography and came before Fatherland. Joanna Kulig plays Zula and Tomasz Kot plays Wiktor, with Borys Szyc, Agata Kulesza, Cédric Kahn and Jeanne Balibar in supporting roles. It was produced by Tanya Seghatchian and Ewa Puszczyńska.

The film was made for about 5 million dollars and took roughly 19 million dollars worldwide, a strong return on its budget. Critics rated it 8.3 out of 10 from 256 reviews, while on TMDB it holds 7.4 out of 10 from over 1,600 votes, showing broad approval that critics rated somewhat higher.