Pawel Pawlikowski’s ‘1949’ Will Be Shot in Black and White, Completing a Loose Trilogy with ‘Ida’ and ‘Cold War’

Here’s a first look report (via Wroclaw) concerning Pawel Pawlikowski’s “1949,” (originally titled “Fatherland”) which is being described as “ambitious” in scope. It’s currently shooting in Poland.

Sandra Hüller is playing the lead role. The producer is none other than Oscar winner Edward Berger ("Conclave") with his production company Nine Hours. The film is aiming for a 2027 release.

Pawlikowski’s last two films, “Ida” and “Cold War,” were acclaimed Cannes-premiered films, both shot in black and white, and the report confirms this one will be shot in monochrome as well, in fact, Pawlikowski might be completing a trilogy, of sorts, with “1949.”

Even better news, Pawlikowski’s go-to cinematographer, Łukasz Żal, will be lensing the film — his more recent works includes “The Zone of Interest” and “Hamnet.”

Pawlikowski wrote the screenplay together with Henk Handloegten ("Babylon Berlin"). Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, “1949” tackles one of the great novelists of the 20th century, Thomas Mann (Hanns Zischler) and his daughter Erika (Hüller)—an actress, journalist, and rally driver—on a road trip through a shattered Germany. Driving a black Buick cruiser, they journey from U.S.-controlled Frankfurt to Soviet-occupied Weimar.

Joining Hüller and Zischler in the ensemble are August Diehl (“A Hidden Life”), Anna Madeley (“Patrick Melrose”) Devid Striesow (“All Quiet On The Western Front”), and Theo Trebs (“The White Ribbon”).

MUBI will be distributing the project with no doubt an eye for Cannes 2027, or if they rush this one on time, next year’s edition of the festival.