Jan. 30, 2021|Poland|93 Min.|TV-MA
Genre: Crime;Drama;Mystery;Thriller
Description: “Prime Time,” a 2021 Polish drama thriller, marks the directorial debut of Jakub Piątek, who co-wrote the screenplay with Łukasz Czapski. The film features a talented cast, including Bartosz Bielenia, Magdalena Popławska, Andrzej Kłak, Małgorzata Hajewska-Krzysztofik, Dobromir Dymecki, and Monika Frajczyk. It premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival on January 30, 2021, under the *World Cinema Dramatic Competition* category.
The story unfolds on New Year’s Eve 1999 at a Krakow television network. Despite widespread Y2K concerns, the staff carries on with their routine. Mira, a long-time on-air personality played by Magdalena Popławska, arrives late but quickly takes charge, brushing aside a younger replacement. As she announces the winner of a car giveaway, the broadcast is abruptly interrupted by Sebastian (Bartosz Bielenia), who storms the set with a gun, holding security guard Grzegorz hostage.
Amid the chaos, most of the crew flees, and live broadcasting is halted. Only Mira, Grzegorz, and seasoned producer Laura remain to deal with the situation. Meanwhile, police negotiators attempt to de-escalate the volatile standoff while their superior strategizes an armed intervention.
However, the film leaves viewers questioning Sebastian’s motives, as his grievances remain unclear, rendering the narrative somewhat directionless. Despite its slick production and engaging performances, “Prime Time” ultimately falls short in delivering a compelling purpose. After its Sundance debut, the film became available worldwide on Netflix starting June 30, 2021.
Cast director: Jakub Piatek
Cast actor: Bartosz Bielenia, Małgorzata Hajewska-Krzysztofik, Magdalena Popławska, Jan Hrynkiewicz, Dobromir Dymecki, Cezary Kosiński, Michał Kaleta, Adam Nawojczyk, Juliusz Chrząstkowski, Andrzej Kłak
Original name: Prime Time