In Canada, there is a new wave of Polish-Canadian filmmakers who are on the cusp of making some serious headway. Many of them know one another and often collaborate on each other’s projects. It’s the kind of camaraderie needed to succeed in the highly competitive industry. One of these filmmakers is Rafal Sokolowski. He is the subject of this professional profile.
Rafal Sokolowski is a Polish-born Toronto based theatre and film director. He began his theatre training at the National Theatre School of Canada. A year after graduating he was awarded the Fox Scholarship from New York to study directing, as an apprentice, at the National Theatre Academy of Krakow. Since then he has worked with numerous theatre companies. After directing theatre for over a decade in Toronto, Montreal and Krakow, Rafal made his first film: Lightchasers which was recently followed up by the short Three Mothers. He is currently teaching acting at the National Theatre School of Canada an Ryerson University’s Theatre School, while working on developing his next film.
Name: Rafal Sokolowski
Profession: Director
Location: Toronto, Canada
Education: MFA Film Production – York University (in completion), BSc Biology – University of Toronto, The National Theatre School of Canada – Acting Program, The National Theatre Academy of Krakow – Apprentice at the Directing Program.
What are you working on now? I’m in pre-production on my next short film Seventh Day and developing a feature film titled E-7.
What’s the best thing about being a filmmaker? Attending festivals around the world.
What fuels your passion for the cinema? My passion to create images and to express myself through them.
What do you hope your films do for people? Intrigue them and inspire change.
If you could only watch one film for the rest of your life, which one would it be? Seven Samurai
Favourite Director: David Lynch
Biggest inspirations and role models: Krzysztof Kislowski
What little things in life do you enjoy the most? Sunny Sunday afternoons.
Is there a motto that you like to live by? Yes: keep on changing the ‘motto’.
Favourite Band or Musical Performer: Bach and Mozart
Why are your Polish roots important to you? They are the only roots I have.
What is the most intriguing thing about your Polish roots? The stories and the personal mythology of my family.
What are your future plans? I want to continue directing films, teaching young artists, and contribute to the dramatic arts.
Website or Contact: www.blinddogfilms.ca
On July 28th Rafal will be hosting a fundraiser/film screening to raise capital for his new project. YouNxt will be there (acting as the MC) and we invite you to join us in support of Rafal and his cinematic endeavours.
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