Golden Goblet Awards Main Competition Film｜Loss of Balance: Spotlight on Educational Dilemmas and the Pursuit of Dreams

On June 19, the Polish film Loss of Balance, which is shortlisted for the main competition of the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival’s Golden Goblet Awards, held a crew meet-and-greet. This marks the feature debut of Polish director Korek Bojanowski, who employs a cold and incisive visual language to confront the long-overlooked hidden violence in performing arts education.

Director Korek Bojanowski attended the event alongside producer Maciej Maciantowicz, lead actress Nel Kaczmarek, and composer Wojciech Frycz.

Spotlight on the Dilemma of “Teaching through Abuse”

Loss of Balance focuses on a group of young acting students: Maja has devoted her entire youth to the stage but finds herself plunged into deep self-doubt as she approaches graduation. Just as she considers abandoning her dreams, fate quietly sets a new turning point for her - a newly hired instructor at the school seems to have a unique eye for talent and discovers Maya’s acting potential during rehearsals for the graduation play...

Director Korek Bojanowski centers on the keyword “imbalance”, highlighting the widespread dilemma of “teaching through abuse” faced by acting students and young performers. Through dynamic camera movements, tracking shots, sharp editing, and electronic music, the film offers a piercing critique of the deeply entrenched tradition of violence in performing arts education, both in Poland and worldwide.

“In Poland’s education system, particularly in art schools, there is a notable issue where teaching methods often lead to conflicts between teachers and students. Previous films may not have explored this theme at such a level, but with Loss of Balance, we aim to present this conflict to the audience,” said the director. “What we want to explore is: how much of oneself must one sacrifice in the pursuit of a dream?”

“I conducted in-depth research, speaking with people who had experienced this kind of violence in acting schools, and found the issue to be very widespread. Moreover, others in different professions may face similar situations.” At the same time, director Korek Bojanowski also observed that many of his friends went through a period of confusion after graduation - suddenly unsure of where their dreams lay or how to pursue them. These experiences inspired his creative vision, driving him to explore these themes through film.

A Multi-Sensory Cinematic Experience

The role of Maja is played by Nel Kaczmarek, who shared that the performance presented significant challenges, particularly the extensive use of physical expression in the film. “I tried to convey Maya’s transformation through body language - from her initial state of rigid discipline to her eventual awakening of self-awareness. The film also employs intense visual language as a means of her self-expression,” said Kaczmarek. She added that she has been exploring how to find a balance between performance and inner self-worth in her craft.

Loss of Balance creates a sensory world far removed from everyday life through its interplay of imagery and music. Composer Wojciech Frycz noted that the film’s sound design was exceptionally well-received during its premiere at the Shanghai International Film Festival. “Beyond the musical score, we incorporated sound effects to enhance the narrative and the performances. For instance, sound plays a crucial role in expressing Maja’s emotions - her struggles, conflicts, or moments of breaking down - ensuring that the audience doesn’t just see but also hears and feels the intensity with their entire being.”

For Loss of Balance, the audience has shown tremendous support and feedback, which delighted producer Maciej Maciantowicz. “The viewers here are so professional and passionate - Shanghai, this city of cinema, has given us an incredible surprise, far exceeding all our expectations,” said Maciej Maciantowicz, expressing hope that the film would bring even more exciting surprises at this year’s SIFF.