Ida (2013) is a hauntingly beautiful black-and-white Polish drama directed by Paweł Pawlikowski. Set in 1960s post-war Poland, it tells a deeply personal story of identity, faith, guilt, and historical trauma — all wrapped in minimalist cinematography and subtle emotional power.
Detailed Summary
Introduction: A Nun’s Quiet World
The film begins in a convent, introducing Anna, a young novice nun who has spent most of her life sheltered behind monastery walls. Before taking her vows, the Mother Superior insists she meet her only surviving relative — her aunt Wanda. This moment marks the start of Anna’s journey into a world far removed from the quiet spirituality she’s known.
Meeting Aunt Wanda
When Anna visits Wanda, she learns shocking news: her real name is Ida Lebenstein, and she is Jewish — her parents were murdered during World War II. Wanda, a former Communist state prosecutor and heavy drinker, is the polar opposite of Ida. Their uneasy relationship is both tender and volatile, as they embark on a journey to uncover their family’s fate.
The Search for the Past
Ida and Wanda travel across rural Poland searching for answers about Ida’s parents. Their journey is not only geographical but emotional and moral. They eventually find a farmer’s family who reveals a horrifying truth — during the Nazi occupation, Ida’s parents were killed and buried nearby, victims of betrayal and fear.
This revelation forces both women to confront their identities: Ida, her faith and heritage; Wanda, her guilt and disillusionment with her role in post-war Poland.
The Encounter with Lis
During their travels, Ida meets Lis, a young saxophone player. He represents a different life — one filled with music, sensuality, and human connection. Their brief encounters carry strong undercurrents of temptation and curiosity. Lis becomes a symbol of what life could be if Ida chose to abandon the convent.
Movie Ending
After the painful discovery of her parents’ grave, Wanda spirals into deeper despair. Her hard-edged personality begins to crumble under the weight of guilt and loss. In one of the film’s most shocking moments, Wanda throws herself out of her apartment window, ending her life without warning.
Ida attends Wanda’s funeral, silent and stoic. Afterward, she spends time in Wanda’s apartment — wearing her aunt’s clothes, drinking vodka, smoking cigarettes, and sleeping with Lis. For a fleeting moment, she lives as Wanda did, testing what it feels like to exist in a world of human desire and moral ambiguity.
However, the next morning, she quietly dresses in her nun’s habit again. In the film’s final scene, Ida walks along a desolate country road — her face expressionless, her purpose unclear. Has she decided to return to the convent? Or has she realized that faith alone cannot shelter her from the world’s pain? The film leaves this open to interpretation, closing with silence rather than answers.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Ida does not have any post-credits scenes. The ending is intentionally quiet and reflective, mirroring the film’s meditative tone. The silence that follows the final shot is part of its emotional impact — it invites the audience to reflect, not to expect closure.
Type of Movie
Ida is a drama and historical art film with elements of coming-of-age and religious introspection. Its minimalist storytelling and black-and-white cinematography give it a timeless, almost photographic quality that evokes classic European cinema.
Cast
- Agata Trzebuchowska as Ida Lebenstein / Anna
- Agata Kulesza as Wanda Gruz
- Dawid Ogrodnik as Lis
- Jerzy Trela as Szymon Skiba
- Adam Szyszkowski as Feliks Skiba
Film Music and Composer
The soundtrack features sparse use of music, heightening the emotional silence throughout. The jazz pieces performed by Lis’s band — particularly John Coltrane’s “Naima” — contrast the quiet convent scenes with moments of worldly allure. The film’s original score, by Kristian Eidnes Andersen, complements its restrained tone.
Filming Locations
The movie was shot entirely in Poland, including locations such as Łódź, Lublin, and Mazovia. The stark rural landscapes and austere architecture reflect the emotional desolation of post-war Poland. The convent scenes were filmed in real monasteries, emphasizing authenticity and isolation.
Awards and Nominations
Ida received universal critical acclaim and numerous awards, including:
- Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film (2015) — Winner
- Academy Award Nomination for Best Cinematography — Łukasz Żal and Ryszard Lenczewski
- BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language — Winner
- European Film Award for Best Film — Winner
- Over 100 nominations globally, marking it as one of the most celebrated Polish films of the decade.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Director Paweł Pawlikowski cast Agata Trzebuchowska after spotting her by chance in a café; she had no prior acting experience.
- The film’s boxy 4:3 aspect ratio was a deliberate choice to create an intimate, almost claustrophobic feel.
- The crew used natural light and avoided camera movement whenever possible, creating painterly compositions reminiscent of still photography.
- Agata Kulesza (Wanda) reportedly stayed in character off set to maintain the role’s emotional depth.
Inspirations and References
Ida draws inspiration from the true historical context of post-war Poland, when many Polish Jews who survived the Holocaust faced identity crises. Pawlikowski also cited Bresson and Dreyer as stylistic influences. Thematically, it shares DNA with films like The Passion of Joan of Arc and The Seventh Seal, exploring faith in the face of existential despair.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
No alternate endings were officially released, but Pawlikowski mentioned that an extended version included a brief scene of Ida back at the convent, confirming her return. It was cut to maintain ambiguity. A few additional scenes exploring Wanda’s depression were also trimmed for pacing.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The film is not directly based on a book, though it draws heavily from historical and autobiographical influences. Pawlikowski, who had family members affected by the Holocaust and communism, infused his personal history into the story’s emotional fabric.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Ida discovering her Jewish identity from Wanda for the first time.
- The silent exhumation of Ida’s parents’ remains — one of the film’s most devastating moments.
- Wanda’s sudden suicide, shot without music or buildup.
- Ida putting on Wanda’s clothes and walking through the world as her aunt did.
Iconic Quotes
- Wanda: “God is everywhere. Even in a kiss.”
- Ida: “What if you go back and discover there is no God?”
- Wanda: “Then we’ll go on as before.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Wanda’s apartment walls feature Communist-era propaganda posters — ironic reminders of her role in a regime built on denial and guilt.
- Ida’s name change symbolizes Poland’s post-war identity crisis: Catholic on the surface, haunted by buried Jewish roots.
- The camera often leaves negative space above the characters’ heads, a visual metaphor for divine absence.
Trivia
- The film was shot in just 30 days.
- Cinematographer Łukasz Żal was not the original choice; he replaced another DP mid-production and still earned an Oscar nomination.
- Ida became the first Polish film ever to win an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
- Agata Trzebuchowska later left acting to become a filmmaker and academic.
Why Watch?
Because Ida is not just a movie — it’s a quiet revelation. It doesn’t shout; it whispers truths about faith, history, and selfhood. Its minimalist style pulls you in, and by the end, you’re left sitting in silence, questioning what you would do in Ida’s place.
If you love introspective cinema that balances beauty with emotional weight, this is essential viewing.
Director’s Other Movies
- Cold War (2018)
- My Summer of Love (2004)
- The Woman in the Fifth (2011)
- Last Resort (2000)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Cold War (2018)
- The White Ribbon (2009)
- The Seventh Seal (1957)
- A Hidden Life (2019)
- The Double Life of Véronique (1991)
- The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)
