Moonlighting

Outraged by the imposition of martial law in Poland in December of 1981, Skolimowski forged a critical artistic response with this nuanced political allegory through a simple plot: four Polish builders are hired illegally to renovate their boss’ London house when the axe falls at home. Jeremy Irons plays the foreman, the only English speaker, who conceals the news from his co-workers, while coping with hardship and frustration. Transforming his own London apartment into a microcosm of Poland itself, Skolimowski constructs a parable with multiple layers, crafting a poignant portrayal of the exile’s twinned alienation from both homeland and a foreign culture.

Cannes Film Festival: Best Screenplay