Mariusz Kotowski Director's Reel

Mariusz Kotowski is the award-winning director of Pola Negri: Life is a Dream in Cinema, an inspiring documentary film that highlights his love of classic cinema and chronicles the legendary life of silent film star, Pola Negri. Growing up in Poland, he was exposed to film and formed his love of the art of filmmaking as a child. At 10, he made a vow he would someday make movies in America; Kotowski's immigration to America is his inspiring story.

Prior to coming to the US, Kotowski had the distinction of being the first person from Poland to achieve a Triple Fellowship in dance from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in London. Kotowski became an acclaimed dancer and choreographer, who studied classical ballroom, ballet, jazz, modern dance and Latin dance in London; he performed and competed throughout Europe, but his real dream was to come to America and dance was the vehicle.

In 1988, Kotowski moved to America where he worked as a dance instructor in New York. He began to study English and Directing at night, teaching dance during the day; he matriculated to NYU where he honed his craft with an "A" average, and received a Certificate in Directing.

In 2009, he completed post-production on his feature film, Deeper and Deeper; the film stars EMMY winning actor David Lago and Independent Spirit Award's Best Actress Nominee, Cyndi Williams; the psycho-thriller premiered at the 2010 Polish Film Festival in Los Angeles.

He also completed producer/director duties on the feature film Esther's Diary which stars Juli Erickson of Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay fame. These films follow Kotowski's feature film directorial debut in 2007 of Forgiveness, with Kotowski's Story by credit, written by Allan Knee (Finding Neverland with Johnny Depp and Dustin Hoffman).

Pola Negri: Life is a Dream in Cinema is co-hosted by Academy Award-winning actress Hayley Mills and Golden Globe nominated actor, Eli Wallach who appear to speak about their experiences working with Pola Negri in her last film. Pola Negri: Life is a Dream played to sold-out audiences at the NY Museum of Modern Art in September 2006 as part of a week-long Pola Negri retrospective. In 2006, Pola Negri also received the Best Documentary Award at DixieFest in Atlanta and a Special Remi Jury Award at Worldfest in Houston. In 2010, the Negri documentary premiered in Paris at Cinemateque Francaise as part of a Negri tribute.

As an author, Kotowski's biogragphy "Pola Negri: Hollywood Legend" was published in February 2010 in Polish by Proszynski Media. Soon to be released is 2 dvd box set of Pola Negri's original silent films re-mastered and re-scored.

Kotowski was born in Olsztyn, Poland and also received his Masters of Education in Poland prior to moving to America. Currently, Kotowski and his wife reside in Austin, Texas. www.brightshiningcity.com

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Mariusz Kotowski
• film Director
• Polish film director
• Sustin film director
• Hollywood film director

[janifoley]

This man is a genius! A visionary!