23/01/2015 - The actor toplines Jacek Lusinski’s film, which is released today in Polish theatres by Kino Swiat

A scene from Carte Blanche

Having proved popular in such titles as In the Name of [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Malgorzata Szumowska
interview: Mateusz Kosciukiewicz
film profile] by Malgorzata Szumowska, Katyn [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Andrzej Wajda
interview: Michal Kwiecinski
film profile] by Andrzej Wajda and The Collector [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Feliks Falk, actor Andrzej Chyra is back with Carte Blanche [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Jacek Lusinski, which comes out today in Polish theatres.

Chyra has earned himself a reputation for sinking his teeth into some “grand roles” that are both difficult and risky, and for which he plays shady, strong, cruel and ruthless characters. But this time around, in Carte Blanche, he plays a positive person: a secondary-school teacher who is much loved by his pupils and who decides to hide the fact that he is going blind in an effort to avoid losing his job and in order be able to adequately prepare his students for the baccalaureate exam. His diagnosis doesn’t offer even a shred of hope: the teacher is on the verge of becoming permanently and totally blind. But his reactions change over time: while initially frightened, he is nevertheless far from sinking into despair. On the contrary: he fulfils his educational duty, makes a true friend and comes to the aid of a rebellious student. Based on a true story, the tale that the film tells could well have a social impact, since it demonstrates the complicated situation that disabled people find themselves in and depicts their struggle to get by in society.

Urszula Grabowska, Arkadiusz Jakubik and Eliza Rycembel also feature among the cast of the film, and Witold Plociennik served as DoP. Produced by Aurum Film, Carte Blanche benefited from backing from the Polish Film Institute. Kino Swiat is handling distribution in Polish theatres.

(Translated from French)