Pusan 2010: ERRATUM Review

A road movie about a man that grows up and overcomes odds to succeed in the end. The first thing that comes to mind when you think of "Erratum" is cliché. Marek Lechki seemed to be well aware of the task that he had given himself. The film overcomes the formula and captures the weekend journey into the past, present, and future of the main characters life. Marek Lechki has worked on several projects in his career. Here we see him as Director, Producer, Musician, and scriptwriter in his first feature film.   

Middle-aged accountant and family man Michal played by Tomasz Kot is forced to take a trip to his hometown. The short day trip turns into an extended weekend where Michal is driven to grapple with what he has become and the life that he has been trying to leave behind. In stories such as these there is always conflict, and Lechki shows that he can bring us into this conflict with subtle yet powerful scenes.

Perhaps "Erratum" triumphs most in the time between conversations where the viewer is left to think about their own life. We walk with Michal and see the world that he would rather forget; however his hometown and the people in it are unforgiving. They drag him back in order to question himself and also his relationship with his father. The film is without great moments of action or passion. It is rather a slow buildup of events and conversations that unravel the conflict in such a way that leaves one wanting more. 

Michal was happy with the life that he has made for himself. When we meet him he has it all, yet there is a bit of sadness in his eyes. It's only later that he and the audience at the same time come to realize that he is missing passion from his life, passion that was born out of friendship. Making mistakes together and getting into trouble is what formed the bond between the boys. As the boys turned to men Michal wanted to fit into society, and stopped making mistakes. Luckily for him one might of indiscretion gives them the chance to reconnect with passion and the past.

The film begs you to question what you have given up in order to save face. Fathers might always forgive us, and yet the process that it takes for this to happen might be painful. Once Michal experiences this pain he grows closer with his father and that is where he finds a true human connection. "Erratum" is sure to be picked up by distributors. Lechki has an eye for human connection and we should look forward to any future projects from this young auteur.  

Review by Padrhig Harney