Polish filmmaker Kristoffer Rus, the director of the popular “Better Half” series, made his debut with the teen romantic comedy “Into The Wind” (“Pod Wiatr”). The story is about Ania, who feels out of place in her family after the tragic death of her mother. To cheer Ania up before she starts medical school, Father Andrzej takes her and her family to the picturesque resort town of Hel.
Ania’s father has fixed her engagement with Kuba, the sole heir of a wealthy family of lawyers. However, Ania chooses a path to liberation once she meets free-spirited kiteboarding instructor Michal. The poignant and understated story shines in the cinematography and music department, while the two lead actors deliver stellar performances. You might be curious if the story is grounded in reality. If the idea has indeed occurred to you, let us keep you posted.
Is Into The Wind based on a true story?
No, ‘Into the Wind’ is not based on a true story. However, the characters remain grounded enough for the film to have a semblance of realism. Kristoffer Rus made his feature debut from a story and screenplay written by Julian Kijowski, who made his screenwriting debut with the film. Ania is the protagonist of the tale, caught between her overprotective father and two suitors. After the death of her mother, Ania goes through a depression. People with similar difficulties can sympathize with Ania’s coming-of-age story.
On the threshold of adulthood, Ania, like many young people, lacks self-confidence. Gradually, the film tells that Ania gets up. On the other hand, Michal’s free-spirited liberal guy is painted in stark contrast to the conformist Kuba family heir, which builds the point of conflict in the story. However, while Ania’s backstory and misfortunes are important, we don’t know much about the other characters. The underlying racial and class tension is also worth noting. However, Hel’s backdrop provides the film with a plausible setting, which adds to the realism.
The hotel in the film, Mistral Hotel and Spa, is a true four-star hotel in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, brimming with tourists throughout the year. The coastal shots of the film are breathtaking and the kite surfing sessions provide adrenaline to the spectators. As the film shows, the Hel Peninsula is famous for its favorable kitesurfing conditions. The crosswind on the coast hovers around 30 mph for most of the year and is ideal for beginner kitesurfers. In addition, the water is relatively shallow in the area, which makes the experience for novices all the more interesting. Due to the conditions, the resort community of Hel presents itself as a paradise for kitesurfers.
From May to September, tourists flock to the area to try their hand at kite-surfing. There’s also a contest every year, much like the one the movie depicts. Experienced surfers come from all over Europe and around the world to try their luck. Besides the Hel Peninsula, where the film is set, there are several nearby areas ideal for kite-surfing. Places like Puck Bay, Rewa and Łeba all offer excellent kitesurfing conditions. If you don’t know the art of kite surfing, don’t worry because there are plenty of professional instructors out there to teach you. However, you might have to search for a while to find a perfect real-life counterpart to the fictional charmer Michal.
Read more: In the Wind ending, explained
