Oliver (Pawel Szajda) is a talented young pianist of Polish American heritage. After breaking off his European tournée, he is forced to repay the tour organizers 250 thousand Euros. On his journey, he meets the very colorful character of (Janusz Gajos) a retired high school math teacher and a great enthusiast of the horse races. He dreams of returning to America as a somebody, but can only do so after wining a momentous prize. From then on the two friends endeavor to gain success. They discover true friendship. Together they fulfill Franks dream of winning at the horse races, which in turn allows Oliver to buy back his personal freedom. Having recovered from a dramatically ended marriage, the young man is able to open up to a new love.
Acting
Janusz Gajos carries every scene with gruff, wounded dignity.
Writing
The math teacher/gambler irony actually lands with emotional weight.
Director
Wiesław Saniewski
Pawel Szajda
Oliver Linovsky
Janusz Gajos
Frank Goretzky
Grażyna Barszczewska
pani Linovsky, matka Olivera
Wojciech Pszoniak
profesor Karloff
Marta Żmuda-Trzebiatowska
Kornelia
Wenanty Nosul
Max Runyon, manager Olivera
Andrzej Krukowski
Jack Goretzky, syn Franka
Peter J. Lucas
Maurice Boisset
Emil Karewicz
dziadek Olivera
Robert Gonera
ksiądz Andrzej
Adelajda Konieczna
Jowita
Lech Mackiewicz
Henryk Wolf, opiekun Olivera we Wrocławiu
Marek Frąckowiak
profesor Wittek, przyjaciel Goretzky'ego
Robert Moskwa
dyrektor Hali Ludowej
Katarzyna Śmiechowicz
Sally, żona Olivera
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Polish-American identity here isn't celebrated—it's a weight Oliver drags through Europe, desperate to either claim or escape it.
Director Saniewski uses horse racing as deliberate counterpoint to Oliver's classical piano: both demand discipline, both reward chance, neither guarantees dignity.
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