Death of Polish director Marcin Wrona shocks, saddens TIFF

Marcin Wrona, whose horror movie Demon had its world premiere last week at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), has died unexpectedly at the age of 42, Polish national film authorities said Saturday.

The director of Poland's Film Festival, Michal Oleszczyk, said Wrona "died suddenly Friday night." He asked for no speculation over Wrona's death until the an investigation has been conducted.

News of Wrona's passing was greeted with shock and sadness by TIFF organizers.

"His film Demon truly marked the emergence of a strong new voice on the world cinema stage," the festival said in a statement.

"Our thoughts go out to his friends and family, especially his wife and producing partner, Olga Szymanska, who was with him at the premiere in Toronto."

Wrona was attending a festival in the Baltic city of Gdynia, where his latest movie had its Polish premiere.

Body found in hotel

A police spokesman in Gdynia said police found the body of a 42-year-old man, whom he did not identify, at a hotel Saturday after being notified by the victim's wife at 5:30 a.m.

Prosecutors said no one is suspected of having a role in his death but an autopsy will be performed next week.

Demon focuses on a dybbuk the spirit of a dead person who haunts the living, according to traditional Jewish belief. The film touched on Second World Warand the Holocaust, painful elements of Poland's past.

The final screening for the film is scheduled to take placethis evening at9:15 p.m.at Toronto'sScotiabankTheatre. It's expectedTIFF organizerswill take the opportunity to pay tribute to Wrona.