Ida, the quiet, yet powerful, art house film shot in black & white is so captivating, it gives audiences the ability to feel and see the nonexistent colors. The haunting beauty in the filmmaking is equally on par with the incredible talent from Polish actors Agata Kulesza and Agata Trzebuchowska, whose performances will be talked about long after the film is over.

Director Paweł Pawlikowski has a masterpiece in Ida as it defies every cinematic challenge and is truly a gift to those who watch it.

Ida takes place in 1960’s Poland and tells the story of a young girl about to take her vows to become a nun. Ida (Agata Trzebuchowska), or Sister Anna, is set to be welcomed into the church when she is told by the Mother superior that she must visit her only living relative before making her vows.

Ida is an orphan and was left at the convent as an infant, so this is the only world she’s ever known. With her orders given, Ida packs a small suitcase and sets off to see her Aunt Wanda (Agata Kulesza), but little does she know that after this visit, her life will never be the same.

Pawlikowski’s images are so powerful and striking, it transforms every frame and scene into a piece of art.

Storyline aside, Ida has the most interesting and fearless camerawork I’ve seen in a long time, Pawlikowski’s images are so powerful and striking, it transforms every frame and scene into a piece of art.

His use of space and framing is untraditional; where most directors give their actors head room in a frame, Pawlikowski pushes in the opposite direction. For instance, Ida is talking to Wanda facing left, yet the framing is to the extreme right, leaving Ida barely on the screen at all. The English subtitles also move around screen to accommodate Pawlikowski’s framework. It’s a welcoming change and only adds to the films beauty.

Even in black and white, Ida is vibrant and pulsing with powerful imagery. Trzebuchowska’s natural and angelic beauty belongs onscreen, her name is one sure to be appearing in many future films. Without a doubt, Ida is one of the best films I’ve seen this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXhCaVqB0x0