Watch Of Animals and Men

Of Animals and Men is a 2019 Polish-language drama film directed by Łukasz Czajka. The movie brings to life an unexpected and harrowing story of a man who is caught in a bewildering web of events involving nature, family, violence and guilt. The film follows the story of Wojtek (Wojciech Chorazy), who is a former soldier and a father of three children. He lives a peaceful life in the countryside where he owns a farm with his wife Ania (Maria Pakulnis). Wojtek is a proud and hardworking man who has devoted his life to farming and raising his family. However, his life is turned upside down when he learns that the local wildlife inspector has accused him of illegally shooting a protected wolf.

Wojtek denies the accusation, claiming that he saw a man killing the wolf. But with no witnesses to support his claims, he is arrested and convicted of the crime. As he awaits his prison sentence, Wojtek is faced with a dilemma: should he plead guilty to save his family from the shame and financial ruin would ensue if he went to jail, or should he keep fighting for his innocence despite the daunting odds?

Adding another layer to the story is the relationship between Wojtek and his estranged brother Tomek (Wojciech Machnicki), who left their village years ago and became a successful businessman in the city. Their relationship is complicated by years of resentment and bitterness, but is further strained as Tomek returns to the village with his failed marriage in the midst of Wojtek's legal troubles.

As the brothers reconnect, past grievances resurface, and their differences become more pronounced. With Tomek’s life in shambles, he procures a dubious proposition for his brother that creates further tension between the two of them.

Throughout the movie, the themes of family loyalty, personal responsibility, and environmental conservation are inextricably woven together. We witness as the characters become entangled with the wilderness around them, and while seeking justice, they face the reality of the consequences of their actions.

Czajka does an impeccable job of capturing the beauty of the natural world throughout the movie, and the cinematography is striking, making for contemplative and captivating viewing. In contrast to the beautiful landscapes, the filmmaker also masterfully captures the nuanced portraits of the characters, creating an intimate and realistic reflection of the rural Polish life.

At the heart of the movie is the performance of Chorazy, who embodies the character of Wojtek with an honesty and rawness. The audience can't help but empathize and feel with his character, as he faces the devastating reality of the loss of his freedom and the potential collapse of his family.

The supporting cast of Machnicki and Pakulnis also delivers exceptional performances, bringing life to their characters, and adding emotional depth to the storyline.

In its handling of the themes, Of Animals and Men is multi-layered, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant, with an ultimately heartbreaking climax that cements its impact.

In conclusion, Of Animals and men is an introspective, and slow-paced drama that takes the audience on a journey of self-discovery and environmental awareness. The movie's storyline seeks to highlight the ongoing issues that are prevalent in our society on conservation, while also underscoring the need for honesty and the preservation of one's sense of self. It is a beautifully crafted motion picture that will leave you pondering long after the credits roll.

Of Animals and Men is a 2022 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.