Polish directorMalgorzata SzumowskaandMichal Englerts transgender dramaWoman Ofworld premieres in Competition at theVeniceFilm Festival on Friday.
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Weve been thinking about this for a long time.
The situation looks very different in a small town.
Malgorzata Szumowska and Michal EnglertAbriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images
You meet people who are actually not allowed to do any coming out.
They are living half-lives.
They went through hell and stayed together, says Szumowska.
Its not militant or political.
She is played instead by cisgender actress Magorzata Hajewska-Krzysztofik, with Mateusz Wiecawek playing her young self.
We did a casting and tried hard to have a trans actress for the main part but we couldnt.
We have trans people playing CIS characters.
They liked it and found it open-minded.
Its maybe the first time in this part of Europe, where this has happened, says Szumowska.
Our trans consultants, who accompanied us throughout the film, accepted this.
Another challenge was securing financing for the production.
It was quite complicated because of the sensitive subject-matter.
Which was unexpected, adds Englert.
It all came together fast and kind of unexpectedly, but I dont think its a coincidence.
This film is needed right now in Poland, says Szumowska.
