I Never Cry

I Never Cry is a compelling Polish film directed by Piotr Domalewski and was released in 2020. The film boasts a stellar cast, including the talented Zofia Stafiej, Kinga Preis, and Arkadiusz Jakubik. The narrative centers around Zofia Stafiej's character, seventeen-year-old Ola, who embarks on a difficult journey to reclaim her dead father's body and unravel the circumstances related to his sudden and unexpected death.

The plot explores an emotional father-daughter relationship. However, the unique element here is that most of this connection unfolds after the father's death, through Ola's quest. Her father was a construction worker in Ireland, a distant figure, rarely present, but his death pushes Ola to step into his shoes, or perhaps his shadow, and traverse through his life in Ireland.

Zofia Stafiej delivers a stunning performance as Ola, perfectly embodying the spirit of a determined and feisty teenage girl, dealing with grief, doubt, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility. Her character is not the usual vulnerable heroine we generally see in such types of narratives. Ola's dimensions are multifaceted - at times, she is adamantly practical, often heartbreakingly lonely, occasionally reckless but undeniably brave.

Ola's mission doesn't merely involve repatriating her father's body but also recovering the money he had promised her to buy a car. Her journey to Ireland becomes more complicated when she discovers that her father didn't exactly lead the life she had imagined. She visits his workplace, meets his friends, and collects his personal belongings, each step leading to a painful understanding of the life her father lived.

The film's supporting characters, played by Kinga Preis, Arkadiusj Jakubik, and others, further deepens the narrative, each carving their unique space, contributing to the narrative arc. The canvas of the characters expands beyond the central storyline helping articulate the broader spectrum of the plot.

I Never Cry stands out because its emotions are raw and real – it doesn’t provide easy answers or sugar-coated comfort. It is about grief, yes, but also about diaspora, alienation, and the stark realities of transnational labor. The film embraces an intense emotional journey, but alongside it also discusses social issues around the modern labor market and economic migration.

The cinematography needs special commendation for capturing the cultural contrasts between Ola's hometown in Poland and the unknown terrain of Ireland. The movie skilfully paints both these locations almost as characters themselves. Where Poland is depicted as family-centered, provincial, closely-knit, Ireland, through Ola's eyes, brings out an alienation felt by immigrants, many leading tumultuous lives away from their homeland and families.

The film unwittingly explores a theme that has become increasingly relevant today: the lived experiences of migrant workers. It shows sobering insights into their everyday realities, their aspirations, and the tragedies that befall them. It delves into young Ola's life, who finds herself knee-deep in the bureaucratic hurdles of an unfamiliar system, providing a unique coming-of-age story that doesn't shy away from layering emotional complexity over socio-political observations.

I Never Cry is not a comfortable watch; it will provoke your thoughts and tug at your heartstrings. Its power lies not in melodrama but in its cautious and unhurried unwrapping of grief and self-discovery. Domalewski manages to craft an intelligent, poignant movie about loss, adolescence, and most importantly – resilience.

In all, I Never Cry is an excellent addition to contemporary European cinema. It’s a rare film that marries social commentary with an intimately personal story, making it a uniquely impactful experience. It doesn't fit into an easy genre but instead pushes boundaries, weaving a story of loss and discovery, painting a vivid picture of life, and exploring its profound corners along the way. A movie that beautifully transforms an unsettling theme into a deeply moving cinematic experience. It's an unforgettable journey that leaves viewers pausing to reflect on the complexities of human connections, and the world we live in.