If this film is what constitutes "Contemporary Polish Cinema," and if Polish cinema has devolved to this point from the likes of Wajda and Kieslowski (Pawlikowski excluded, of course), then the situation is dire indeed.
I was once invited to an Istanbul Modern event showcasing this film, but alas, my travels to Kiev prevented my attendance. The mixed reactions it garnered piqued my curiosity, but as time passed, it slipped into the recesses of my memory... until it resurfaced on Mubi Turkey.
What I encountered was a cinematic experience that can only be described as a grotesque mishmash of ideas. Scenes that exploit the Oedipus complex, a nonsensical screenplay that would drive even Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, and Carl Gustav Jung to distraction, and visuals supposedly inspired by "a fantastical comic-book style," yet resembling nothing more than a haphazard imitation of low-budget adult animation.
This film would never have seen the light of day in Hollywood, at least not with its narrative centered on the body of an 11-year-old boy. The actor's age would have been raised, the story sanitized. But European cinema, it seems, revels in dragging us into the darkest corners of the human psyche, all in the name of "narrative art."
I find myself consumed by a profound sense of indignation. I simply cannot fathom those who offer positive reviews for this film. Oh, I understand their motivations, but to articulate them here would be... unseemly.
The film's cinematography, while aesthetically pleasing at times, ultimately serves to glamorize the disturbing content. The performances, particularly that of the young protagonist, are unsettling in their realism, leaving a lingering sense of unease. The film's score, a discordant blend of electronic and orchestral elements, further amplifies the sense of disquiet.
"Baby Bump" is a film that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. It's a testament to the excesses of artistic license, a cautionary tale of how the pursuit of shock value can overshadow any semblance of meaningful storytelling.
