Uljhan (The Knot) — Polish DOP in a Feature Film Selected for Cannes, Santa Barbara, and Shanghai
Uljhan (The Knot) — Polish DOP in a Feature Film Selected for Cannes
In 2019, Paweł Kacprzak, Director of Photography at Sema Studio, traveled to India to operate as the DOP for the international feature co-production Uljhan (The Knot), directed by Ashish Pant. The film, produced by Route One Production LLP and Karikeya Singh — an India/USA/France co-production — became one of the most significant milestones in his portfolio.
💡 Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
About the Film Uljhan (The Knot)
Uljhan is an Indian-American-French co-production shot entirely in India. Directed by Ashish Pant, the film featured actors from three continents. Paweł Kacprzak was responsible for the entire visual storytelling layer of the production as Director of Photography — from the photographic concept and equipment selection to executing the shots on set.
Festival Selections
Uljhan (The Knot) was officially selected by over a dozen prestigious film festivals worldwide:
Cannes, Marche du Film — the most vital film market in the world, accompanying the Cannes International Film Festival.
Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF, USA) — one of the most highly regarded festivals in the United States, renowned for discovering new talent and promoting independent cinema.
Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF, China) — one of only four Category A film festivals in Asia, alongside Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Beijing.
Furthermore: Indian Film Festival IFFLA (USA), Indian Film Festival of Cincinnati (USA), IFFSA Toronto (Canada), New York Indian Film Festival NYIFF (USA), Bushwick Film Festival (USA), Dharamshala International Film Festival DIFF (India), International Thai Film Festival (Thailand).
What Does This Say About The DOP's Competence?
Working as a DOP on a feature-length film co-produced by three countries, with a culturally diverse crew, on location in India — is one of the ultimate cinematographic challenges. Varying lighting conditions, complex logistics in non-standard locations, tight deadlines, and the necessity for instant communication in English with a director and producers from different backgrounds require masterful skill.
The selection for Cannes Marche du Film serves as a tangible metric that the visual execution of this film met the highest standards of international evaluation.
Case Study:
A feature-length India/USA/France co-production with a multinational crew, shot on location in India. The challenge: unfamiliar lighting conditions, logistics in non-standard environments, and cross-cultural communication in English.
Paweł Kacprzak, acting as DOP, spearheaded the entire visual execution — from photographic concept to on-set realism, working directly with director Ashish Pant and producers from India, the US, and France.
Official selection to over 10 prestigious festivals across 4 continents, including Cannes Marche du Film and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
This experience directly translates to the quality Paweł Kacprzak brings to every corporate production executed by Sema Studio: the ability to operate in any conditions, with any crew, and for any client — at a memorable and cinematic level.
📞 Paweł: +48 574 774 310 | ✉️ info@semastudio.pl
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Cannes Marche du Film and why does selection there matter?
Cannes Marche du Film is the largest film market globally, accompanying the Cannes International Film Festival. Selection means the film satisfied the rigorous criteria of the world's most demanding film community.
What was Paweł Kacprzak's role on Uljhan?
Paweł served as the Director of Photography — leading the entire visual layer, from the initial camera and lighting concept to executing the shots on set in India.
Does Sema Studio produce feature-length fiction films?
Yes, although our core business remains premium corporate video. The expertise gained from festival-grade feature films directly elevates the cinematic quality of every corporate production we undertake.