The effects of a long-term investigation by a police officer regarding the disappearance of a four-year old girl from her mother and the emotional consequences of a near-obsessive determination are the key focus in the new Polish thriller SMALL WORLD.
Watch the trailer here: (WARNING: Contains strong language)
A mother discovers her daughter, Ola, is missing after her drunken lover is warned about the effect of dust on her lungs and a school friend tells her that a man has offered her candy and taken her hand. Determined to pursue the perpetrator to the border, she is stopped by police officer Robert Goc.
Several years later, a gas explosion in a building in Moscow leads to the revelation that a sex trafficker has got five children, including Ola, in his midst and his subsequent arrest. Pursuing the case, Goc becomes obsessed with bringing home Ola, but in the process begins to question his own sanity and darkest desires….
A dark, disturbing experience at the best of times, Patryk Vega’s SMALL WORLD covers four countries and a multi-layered emotional involvement from all sides, dealing with the legal, logistical and moral consequences to a far greater extent, at times darkly shocking and uncompromising in its’ tone. This is no straightforward police procedural noir, where a positive ending and resolution awaits in the likes of a DIRTY HARRY or LETHAL WEAPON.
Rather refreshingly, the emotional conflict of the lead police officer Goc is highlighted to a greater extent as he questions his own desires to solve problems and crack a tough case, particularly during a key sequence which takes him to Rotherham, England, where a female photographer is being majorly difficult when the local police break down her door.
The climax of the film does veer into classic action thriller territory with lots of bullets and blood à la SCARFACE, but the characterisation and inner conflicts are the big strength of this film. It’s not an easy watch, particularly given the issue of child sex trafficking and some images turn the stomach, so be prepared to hold your gut at times.
I would also sit back and reflect once the film is over and give yourself a bit of time to recover.
SMALL WORLD heads to UK & EIRE Cinemas from 17th September, 2021
