Lesley Manville Unleashes Fury as "Winter of the Crow" Brings Poland's Turbulent Past to Life

Lesley Manville Faces the Fury of Winter: A Journey into Poland's Turbulent Past As I sat down with Lesley Manville in a quiet corner of Los Angeles, she gazed at me with an intensity that hinted at the turmoil brewing within. Her eyes seemed to hold a thousand stories, each one etched on her face like the lines on a well-worn map. We were about to embark on a journey through time and space, into the heart of Poland's tumultuous 1981, where politics and passion collide. Manville's latest project, Kasia Adamik's "Winter of the Crow," is an adaptation of Olga Tokarczuk's short story, which delves into the complexities of martial law in Poland. The film follows Joan, a British professor, as she navigates the treacherous landscape of unrest and revolution. For Manville, this was more than just a role – it was a chance to revisit memories etched in her mind like scars. "I was young when these events took place," Manville began, her voice weaving a narrative that transported me to the streets of Warsaw. "But I remember them vividly. The sense of unease, the feeling of being caught between two worlds – it's hard to put into words." Her eyes sparkled with a mix of nostalgia and trepidation as she continued, "You're thrown into this maelstrom of politics, where you're not familiar with anything or anyone. It's like being dropped into a war zone without a map." As we delved deeper into the world of "Winter of the Crow," it became clear that Manville's connection to the story went beyond mere acting. Her experiences working with Mike Leigh on projects like "High Rise" and "Phantom Thread" still lingered in her bones, imbuing her portrayal of Joan with a depth and nuance that's hard to ignore. "Mike always pushed me to dig deeper," Manville explained, her voice filled with gratitude. "He'd say, 'Lesley, you're not just acting – you're becoming this person.' It was like he unlocked a part of me that I didn't know existed." This insight into Manville's process offers a glimpse into the collaborative spirit that drives some of cinema's most compelling performances. Adamik's vision for "Winter of the Crow" is equally captivating. The Polish director, known for her nuanced explorations of human relationships, brings a unique perspective to Tokarczuk's story. By setting the narrative in 1981 Poland, Adamik creates a sense of timelessness, where the struggles of the past continue to resonate with today's world. "Winter of the Crow" premieres at TIFF and later closes San Sebastián, marking a significant milestone for both Manville and Adamik. As I watched the clip, I was struck by the film's raw emotion and unflinching portrayal of history. It's a testament to the power of cinema to transport us to worlds both familiar and unknown. As our conversation drew to a close, Manville leaned in, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "You know, I think this film will surprise audiences," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's not just about politics – it's about the human condition. It's about finding your place in the world, even when everything around you is falling apart." In "Winter of the Crow," Lesley Manville and Kasia Adamik have crafted a film that will leave audiences breathless and yearning for more. As we navigate the complexities of our own world, this cinematic journey into Poland's turbulent past serves as a poignant reminder: even in the darkest moments, there is always hope – and always a story to be told. *Based on reporting by Variety.*