Dąbskie Film Nights. Cinema, beach, and a little dancing

No one was in a hurry on the beach in Dąbie. Some people took up lounge chairs, others spread out blankets, and familiar tunes flowed from the speakers: "You're the One That I Want" from Grease, Aretha Franklin's "Think" from the Blues Brothers, "It Must Have Been Love" from Pretty Woman, "Take My Breath Away" from Top Gun, and "I Will Survive," which probably never gets old. There was no pomposity, just summer—just ordinary, with sand in your shoes and a cup of lemonade in your hand.

Saturday at the 19th Dąbie Film Evenings was all about dancing and outdoor screenings. The beach in Dąbie proved to be the perfect venue: open space, proximity to the water, and a natural stage for film and people.

"There's something about Dąbie that attracts people even without much advertising. This place has been operating for years. People know it's a great place to hang out – casual, no red carpets, but with a great atmosphere," said Paulina Stok-Stocka, director of the Dąbie Municipal Cultural Centre, which organizes the Dąbie Film Evenings. "I'm also glad that it's not just those who live nearby who come. You can hear the various Szczecin accents, there are bikes, whole crews with blankets, someone came by taxi from the city center. It means someone was in the mood – and that's a lot."

Viewers began gathering even before 7:00 PM, even though the film was scheduled for much later. Organizers had prepared 200 loungers, but they filled up quickly. Those who arrived later brought their own folding chairs, mats, or simply sat on the sand. The air smelled of the lake and mosquito spray – summer was in full swing.

Amidst the sounds of movie hits, a real dance party broke out on the sand. Kasia Brzozowska, animator and presenter, effortlessly got the audience dancing. Someone started dancing, someone joined in, and then it just flowed. And it wasn't about the choreography—it was more about the joy of being together in one place, in one rhythm.

"For me, it's pure joy to see people open up, to see how one song suddenly becomes a kind of flash mob dance on the sand," Brzozowska said. "Nobody cares if they can't dance. At worst, they'll trip over their own flip-flop and laugh even harder. And that's the point."

As dusk fell, the film "Seasons" appeared on a specially inflatable screen – Michał Grzybowski's contemporary comedy about feelings that come at the wrong time and people who don't always do what they should. The screening was intense – as if, after a day of conversation, music, and dancing, a moment of shared silence had arrived.

The final day of this year's edition is upon us – on Sunday, the film "Wróbel" will be screened at the Delta Club, followed by a Q&A with director Tomasz Gąssowski. Afterward, the beach will return to its usual routine. But for a few days, it was once again a cinematic stage, a bit like something out of a movie – only without the director.

More on this topic in "Kurier Szczeciński" and eKurier from August 4, 2025.

(dg)