Directed by
Malgorzata Szumowska
Made by
Kino Lorber
Discover the intricate plot of Never Gonna Snow Again (2021). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
A young man named Zhenia makes his way across the border from Ukraine to Poland, clutching a collapsible massage table as he heads toward the immigration office in Warsaw. Upon arrival, he informs the officer of his intention to reside in Poland. In a fascinating twist, he takes the officer’s head in his hands, inducing a trance-like state that enables the officer to stamp and sign his own residence permit without second thoughts.
Settling into a housing estate in Warsaw, Zhenia embarks on a new chapter of his life. He frequently visits affluent clients residing in a high-security community on the outskirts of the city, including the elegant housewife Maria and the heartbroken widow Ewa. Among his clientele is a father fighting a battle against cancer, who turns to Zhenia’s skilled touch as a final lifeline for healing. Tragically, after the father’s passing, Zhenia finds himself entangled in a passionate liaison with the grieving widow. Their connection culminates in a public magic show, where he mysteriously vanishes, leaving everyone in disbelief.
Although the residents of this gated community enjoy a life of luxury, they are enveloped in a profound sense of melancholy. Zhenia’s visits often involve his unique talents, which include hypnosis and apparent telekinetic powers. Flashbacks reveal a darker part of his history, illustrating the trauma of losing his mother in Prypiat due to the devastating Chernobyl disaster, a critical event that he was powerless to prevent. This background sheds light on the film’s original title and its deep connection to this tragedy. As the film draws to a close, a soft snow begins to fall, enveloping everything in a somber yet beautiful silence.
Track the key events of Never Gonna Snow Again (2021) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Crossing the Border
Zhenia, a young man from Ukraine, makes his way across the border into Poland, carrying a collapsible massage table. His journey signifies the beginning of his new life as he navigates a foreign country in search of opportunities.
Immigration Office Encounter
Upon his arrival in Warsaw, Zhenia approaches the immigration office with the intention of obtaining a residence permit. Using his unique ability to induce a trance, he convinces the officer to sign and stamp his permit without question, marking a pivotal moment in his transition to life in Poland.
Settling in Warsaw
Zhenia moves into a housing estate in Warsaw, beginning to adapt to his new surroundings. This new life introduces him to a host of affluent clients, allowing him to utilize his skills as a masseur.
Meeting Maria
One of Zhenia's first clients at the upscale community is Maria, an elegant housewife. His interactions with her reveal the contrasts between his humble beginnings and the luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by his clientele.
Healing Touch for Ewa
Zhenia also attends to Ewa, a heartbroken widow, providing her solace through his massages. His healing abilities offer her a brief escape from her grief, establishing a bond that transcends the standard client-therapist relationship.
A Father’s Battle with Cancer
Among his clients, Zhenia assists a father who is struggling with cancer, using his touch as a final hope for healing. This relationship illustrates Zhenia’s impact beyond mere physical comfort, as he becomes a pivotal figure during a critical time for the family.
Tragic Loss
After the father passes away, Zhenia finds himself entangled in a romantic relationship with the grieving widow Ewa. Their connection deepens in the wake of tragedy, illustrating the intertwined fates of both characters.
Public Magic Show
Zhenia’s liaison with Ewa culminates in a public magic show he performs, showcasing not just his talents but also his mystique. During the act, he wows the audience by mysteriously vanishing, leaving everyone in disbelief and wonder.
Residents' Melancholy
Despite living in luxury, the residents of the gated community are shrouded in melancholy. Zhenia's visits serve as both a balm and a reminder of the emotional barriers that wealth cannot overcome.
Hypnotic Skills Revealed
During his sessions, Zhenia demonstrates his unique talents, including hypnosis and telekinesis. These abilities not only set him apart from others but also add a layer of intrigue and suspense to his character.
Flashbacks to Prypiat
The film reveals Zhenia's traumatic past through flashbacks, showcasing the loss of his mother during the Chernobyl disaster. These memories shape his character and clarify the emotional depth of his current life.
Connection to Chernobyl
The flashbacks to his childhood in Prypiat anchor the film’s original title and highlight Zhenia’s struggle with grief. His background adds a poignant layer to his relationship with clients, reflecting the weight of his past.
The Closing Scene
As the film nears its conclusion, soft snow begins to fall in Warsaw, enveloping the city in a quiet, somber beauty. This imagery encapsulates both Zhenia's journey and the bittersweet nature of his story.
Meet the characters that bring Never Gonna Snow Again (2021) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Zhenia (Alec Utgoff)
Zhenia is a young man from Ukraine who immerses himself in the lives of affluent clients through his unique profession. He possesses hypnotic and telekinetic abilities, which he uses to navigate his new life and connect with individuals dealing with their own sorrows. His past, marked by trauma from the Chernobyl disaster, drives his quest for healing and understanding.
Ewa (Agata Kulesza)
Ewa is a heartbroken widow, struggling to cope with the loss of her husband. Her emotional turmoil draws her into a passionate relationship with Zhenia as she seeks solace and connection. Ewa's character represents the profound impact of grief and the longing for intimacy.
Maria (Maja Ostaszewska)
Maria is an elegant housewife who represents the luxurious yet emotionally hollow life of the gated community. Her interactions with Zhenia reflect her own struggles within a life of privilege, demonstrating how external appearances can conceal inner sadness.
Uncover the settings of Never Gonna Snow Again (2021), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The film unfolds in contemporary times but underscores the historical implications of the Chernobyl disaster. This tragedy impacted many lives, including Zhenia's, posing a deep emotional backdrop against the modern setting in Warsaw.
Location
Warsaw, Prypiat
Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is a vibrant city known for its historical architecture and rich culture. The film's narrative also traces back to Prypiat, a ghost town near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, notorious for its abandoned buildings and haunting history linked to the catastrophic disaster.
Explore the core themes of Never Gonna Snow Again (2021). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Loss and Grief
The theme of loss permeates the film as characters grapple with personal tragedies, including the cancer-stricken father and the widow, Ewa. Zhenia's past, particularly the loss of his mother to the Chernobyl disaster, further enriches this theme, showcasing how grief can shape and influence lives.
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Mysticism
Zhenia possesses mystical abilities, particularly hypnosis and telekinesis, which add a layer of intrigue to the narrative. These talents serve as a means of coping with pain and allow him to connect deeply with the clients he encounters, creating a blend of reality and the surreal.
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Isolation in Luxury
Despite living in a high-security affluent community, the residents are enveloped in a profound sense of melancholy. This theme highlights the contrast between material wealth and emotional isolation, inviting a reflection on how superficial comforts cannot shield one from deeper emotional wounds.
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