Joanna

Polish blogger Joanna Salyga was known for her chronicle of daily life as a wife and mother, a woman who focused on small moments while forming a legacy of questions and gentle admonitions for her young son, Jás. Aneta Kopacz's Academy Award–nominated documentary observes Joanna at home with her family in the months before her death at age 36 from cancer. Cinematographer Lukasz Zal often turns the camera on the woods and fields surrounding the Salygas' rural home—wind blows through the trees, birds sing as Jás and his mother lie outdoors on a blanket—ultimately framing Joanna's death as a natural occurrence. Joanna and the boy argue mildly about whether they will go to McDonalds, and joke when he accidentally sees her bra strap. She poses questions and expresses hopes for Jás—teaching by asking, rather than telling him what to think. Alone with her husband, Poitr, Joanna lies waiting for pain medications to take effect, muses over daily activities, and worries about leaving her family. During a brief interlude at the hospital, the camera remains on her face while she receives a prognosis; afterward, cameras peer through the windows from outside her house as Jás weeps over the news that his mother will die soon. Near film's end, he befriends a neighbor child and rides his bike away from his mom, who earlier had to hold him steady—offering a picture of how life will go on. A beautiful, poetically filmed portrait, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)