Directors: Polanski, Roman

Cast: Leon Niemczyk, Jolanta Umecka

Poland 1962 | Black & white | 94 mins | Thriller

Avaliable on: 35mm, DCP, DVD

Roman Polanski’s first feature Knife in the Water is a masterful study of sexual tension and paranoia. The story is simplicity itself: a married couple, setting forth on a yachting weekend, gives a lift to an attractive young hitch-hiker. During what was intended to be a relaxing break, competition builds between the two men as they vie for the attentions of the alluring young wife. Allegiances shift, jealousy and frustration intensify and none too innocent games are played. Krzysztof Komeda’s unnerving jazz score memorably underlines Polanski’s vision of menace and desire.