Hi there!

My name is Marek Olszewski, and I am an independent filmmaker originally from Poland. I moved to Ireland when I was three and a half years old, I grew up in Carlow and finally I settled in Galway for college. I am currently studying a Level 8 BA in Film & Documentary at ATU Galway, and I am in my third and final year. I am now asking for your support in helping me make my final year film 'Dreams of my Father' which will be independently produced by myself.

'Dreams of my Father' is my final year film and my second narrative short film following on from 'Yes Chef' last year. The film tells the story of Bartek Nowak, at twenty-year-old man who moves to Galway to continue his late Father Pawel’s dream of setting up a restaurant in the West of Ireland. But tragedy strikes when he's fired from his job on rent week. Bartek must find a job before the week is out, or risk being evicted and sent to live on the streets.

The genre of the Dreams of my Father is cerebral, drama, philosophical, psychological and survival. Three films I can compare it to are Pawel Pawlikowski's 2018 film Cold War for its 4 x 3 aspect ratio and 35 mm look, Akira Kurosawa's 1990 film Dreams for its dream like imagery and Gabriele Muccino's 2006 film Pursuit of Happiness for its Father and Son subject matter.

The synopsis goes like this: Flashback to Bartek’s fifteenth Birthday. They are sitting on a bench at the Famine Memorial. His Father Pawel gives him a cross and tells him that “Those we love will never truly leave us”.

Fast- forward five years later. Bartek is trying to follow his Father’s dream of setting up a restaurant in the West of Ireland. So far, Bartek has only become a grill chef at Frankie’s fast-food restaurant. Bartek’s egotistical boss Richard comes in and yells at him for the place being dirty. Bartek talks back and quits on the job. Bartek is now jobless.

It’s rent week. Bartek must find a job before the week is out or risk being evicted. He puts on his best clothes and goes out searching for a job, but he’s rejected by everyone.

It's rent day. He tells his landlord Patrick that he can't make rent. He is assaulted and later evicted. Bartek is now on the streets.

With the money he had left, he purchases a tent and unknowingly comes back to the opening scene. He falls asleep and wakes up to his Father Pawel sitting outside.

Pawel tells him that these events were meant to happen and that Ireland is not the place for him. He advises Bartek to go back home to Poland and take care of his family – his Mother and Sister. He reminds Bartek of the personal premise of the story “Those we love will never truly leave us”.

Bartek waits at the bus stop. He enters the bus and climbs upstairs. As the bus drives off, he looks out the window. Pawel stands there waving at him before walking off himself.

Dreams of my Father will be a critique of capitalism, Ireland’s growing racism and far – right, Ireland’s cost of living crisis and Ireland’s housing crisis. The film will explore themes of grief, loss, dreams and love.

The films personal premise 'Those we love will never truly leave us' is based on my interpretation of grief. I find it fascinating how even if somebody close has moved on, their love and loss will stay with us forever.

The film’s plot is based on my own personal experience. For example, in October 2023 I was fired and evicted, and I had no stable home in Galway for about two weeks. In the end, I was lucky to have found accommodation, but I’ll never forget that fear of homelessness.

The film’s characters are based off real people I know mixed with my own imagination. For example, Bartek is based on me. Pawel and Karolina are based on my parents. Frankie’s is based on the hospitality industry and Richard is based on toxic bosses I’ve had. Finally, the landlord Patrick is also based on a toxic landlord I once had.

The film will take approximately four days to shoot. It will be shot here in Galway City. The film will be shot on Black Magic Cameras and will be recorded with a 35 mm lens and shot in a 4 x 3 aspect ratio.

I am looking to raise 1500 euros for the film. The costs will be divided in this way:

Cast: 200 euros - 50 x 4

Producer: 50 euros

Production designer: 50 euros

Cinematographer: 50 euros

Makeup & hair: 50 euros

Sound operator: 50 euros

Postproduction sound: 50 euros

Editor: 150 euros

Music composer: 150 euros

Props/set design: 100 euros

Transportation: 200 euros

Meals: 200 euros

Film festivals: 200 euros

After the film is made, I will promote it to social media and eventually submit it to film festivals in Ireland and the U.K. For example, I will submit the film to the Galway Film Fleadh, and I will submit the film to Raindance.

This is my first financed short film, and I will be grateful and appreciative of any help.

Thank you,

Marek