Cycle
From 08.12. To 23.12.2008.
Polish films based on literary classics
Films in cycle
Ashes and Diamonds
(Popiól i diament, 1958)
Directed by: Andrzej Wajda
PHOTOGRAPHY: Jerzy Wójcik
Synopsis:
On the last day of WW II, young member of the resistance, Maciek, gets the order to kill the communist leader Szczuka. Even though during the war they belonged to different ideological groups, they had a common cause: fight against the Germans. Therefore, Maciek experiences a moral dilemma: should he carry out the order or not? In this film with attractive visuals, cinematography and editing, the director exhibits his tendency to symbolism.
35 mm, b/w, 105 min
PROJECTION:
Wednesday 10.12.2008 AT 20:00
Monday 08.12.2008 AT 20:00
The Eighth Day of the Week
(Osmy dzień tygodnia, 1958)
Directed by: Aleksander Ford
PHOTOGRAPHY: Jerzy Lipman, Igor Oberberg
Synopsis:
This is a film adaptation of Marek Hlaska’s short story, made in 1958 when the writer emigrated from Poland due to his disagreement with the political climate of his home country. This pessimistic film, which follows the life of a poor young couple in Warsaw, was censored for a long time and was first shown in 1983.
35 mm, color, 83 min
PROJECTION:
Friday 12.12.2008 AT 20:00
Tuesday 09.12.2008 AT 19:00
The Promised Land
(Ziemia obiecana, 1975)
Directed by: Andrzej Wajda
PHOTOGRAPHY: Waclaw Dybowski, Edward Klosinski, Witold Sobocinski
Synopsis:
In Poland at the end of the 19th century there is a cruel fight between three friends of different backgrounds. Karol Borowiecki is a Polish nobleman working as an engineer in a textile factory. He dreams of opening his own factory with the help of his friends: A German, Max Baum, who inherited an old factory and a Jew, Moritz Welt, who is an independent entrepreneur. In order to achieve their dreams they have to gather some money and solve their love quarrels.
color, restored, digitalized, 179 min
PROJECTION:
Tuesday 16.12.2008 AT 20:00
Saturday 13.12.2008 AT 20:00
Valley of the Issa
(Dolina Issy, 1982)
Directed by: Tadeusz Konwicki
PHOTOGRAPHY: Jerzy Lukaszewicz
Synopsis:
In the time between the two world wars, young Tomaszek spends his childhood in the valley of Issa on a rich farm on the border of Lithuania and Poland. Even though he is surrounded by idyllic nature and he keeps escaping to a fantasy world, the boy cannot help noticing changes in the valley which have arisen as a consequence of social unrest and political conflicts of the 1920s.
35 mm, color, 110 min
PROJECTION:
Wednesday 17.12.2008 AT 20:00
Monday 15.12.2008 AT 20:00
Mother of Kings
(Matka Królów, 1983)
Directed by: Janusz Zaorski
PHOTOGRAPHY: Edward Klosinski
Synopsis:
The film depicts the life of a mother of four sons during the darkest period of Polish history: WW II and the time of Stalin. Lucja Król is a poor woman that is giving birth to her fourth son. After her husband dies, she gets help from her neighbor Viktor, a communist and intellectual who soon gets imprisoned. With her blessing, her sons hold Communist meetings in their apartment during the war.
35 mm, b/w, 127 min
PROJECTION:
Monday 22.12.2008 AT 20:00
Friday 19.12.2008 AT 20:00
Quo vadis?
(2001)
Directed by: Jerzy Kawalerowicz
PHOTOGRAPHY: Andrzej Jaroszewicz
Synopsis:
This is one of the most expensive Polish films ever made and is actually a remake of the Hollywood classic by Mervyn Le Roy made in 1951. The story takes place in year 64 when a Roman, Marcus Vinicius, falls in love with a Christian woman. He is a Roman officer coming back to Rome where his uncle Petronius serves Emperor Nero. Interested in the new religion, he attends a meeting of Christians and falls in love with the young Lygia. Even though she refuses him at first, she soon falls in love...