Floating Skyscrapers

Floating Skyscrapers is a 2013 Polish drama film directed by Tomasz Wasilewski, who won the Best Film in the East of the West category at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. The film features terrific performances from Mateusz Banasiuk, Marta Nieradkiewicz, and Bartosz Gelner in pivotal roles.

Floating Skyscrapers tells the compelling and eye-opening story of a young man trapped between his passion for swimming and his personal and sexual identity. The protagonist, Kuba (Mateusz Banasiuk), is a young athlete who's been training for years in competitive swimming, looking towards a bright sports career with a promising future. His life outside the pool, however, is equally complicated as he's caught in a volatile relationship with his pushy mother and his overly needy girlfriend Sylwia (Marta Nieradkiewicz).

These relationships become more complex when he meets and falls in love with another man, Michał (Bartosz Gelner). The sexual confusion and angst experienced by Kuba in response to his newfound attraction form the crux of the narrative. This becomes a classic love triangle scenario, with a unique and interesting layer of complexity – Kuba’s bisexual realization.

The movie comfortably oscillates between the cold, sterile world of the natatorium where Kuba trains day in and out, and the vibrant urban landscapes where Kuba spends time with Sylwia and Michał. The signature element of Floating Skyscrapers is its realistic portrayal of the Polish society’s perception of the LGBTQ+ community, which, in turn, forms the backdrop of Kuba’s grappling with his sexual identity in a predominantly homophobic society.

The movie thrives on its minimal dialogue, opting instead to use visual storytelling to convey its powerful themes. Herein lies Wasilewski’s hardcore storytelling ability where he communicates to the audience through physical actions, meaningful silences, and well-planned use of lights with some artistic camera angles.

Performance-wise, Mateusz Banasiuk's depiction of Kuba is particularly striking. He brings out Kuba's pain and conflict beautifully, painting a vivid picture of a man grappling with his sensuality. Marta Nieradkiewicz also brilliantly portrays the complex character Sylwia, a woman trying to hold onto a man who's slipping away from her grasp. At the same time, Bartosz Gelner’s performance as Michał is equally noteworthy. He plays his part naturally and with ease, thereby giving a believable and real performance.

Floating Skyscrapers is provoking, gritty, and poses uncomfortable questions about the societal acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. It deals with subjects like acceptance, denial, loss, and love, using a non-judgmental lens while presenting the narrative with raw honesty.

The urban landscapes captured in the film mirror the high-rise buildings interspersed with water bodies, offering a visual interpretation of the film's title. The 'Floating Skyscrapers' in the film could very well be symbolic of Kuba's efforts to keep his professional and personal life afloat amidst the societal and personal turmoil.

The film, however, is not for those seeking an idealistic or larger-than-life tale. It's grounded, often heartbreaking and aims not to provide concrete answers but to stir a dialogue about societal acceptance of nuanced sexual identities. The movie is a powerful comment on love, relationships, and self-discovery. It's a socially significant piece that explores controversial issues with grace, poise, and utmost sensitivity.

In short, Floating Skyscrapers is a raw, intense, and honest representation of the struggle of a young man who becomes aware of his sexual orientation in a society hostile to his inclinations. It pushes conventional boundaries, highlighting the duality of a life saturated with the need for acceptance and self-expression, making it a valuable contribution to contemporary cinema.