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The Beads of One Rosary (Paciorki Jednego Rozanca)(1980) Director: Kazimierz Kutz;Don't let the title of The Breads of One Rosary (Paciorki Jednego Rozanca) mislead you into thinking it is a religious film. The title comes from a line in the movie that refers to a father and son are similar in thought like the beads of one rosary. The Beads of One Rosary is a movie about a retired miner named Karol Habryka. Karol wants to live out his years in his house but the mining company wants to build block apartments where he lives. All of his neighbors agreed to leave their homes except for him. Karol Habryka stands in the way of "progress" because he doesn't need the change. Karol knows the company doesn't have the best interest of the people in mind and only want to make money. Although Karol is a simple guy, he won many awards as a miner and earned the respect of all his coworkers, which gives him strength over the mining company. The mining company cannot force their former star worker out of his house to build the new apartment complex. One of the reasons why I think The Beads of One Rosary is a great movie is because it is about an ordinary guy that faces challenges. Karol is interesting and admirable because he upholds his personal integrity. He is a tough old man that stands up for what he believes in and resists conformity even if he looses his popularity. His persistence brings the wrath of some of the others but he persists nonetheless. The Beads of One Rosary is far more than an artsy drama. It's a story about a man following his heart and doing what he thinks is right. This film is an exception work of Polish cinematography. |
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The War of the World: Next Century (Wojna swiatow - nastepne stulecie)(1981) Director: Piotr Szulkin;The War of the World: Next Century (Wojna swiatow - nastepne stulecie) is a Polish science-fiction film dedicated to H. G. Wells and George Orwell that depicts an anti-utopian society. As the title suggests, it is loosely based on Wells' War of the Worlds as the story involves invading Martians but the direction it takes is much different. Science fiction is a relatively rare genre in Polish cinema. Polish science fiction often has deeper meaning and The War of the World: Next Century is undoubtedly special in this regard and an unforgettable cinematographic experience. The story starts in December 1999, just days before the new century and the people of Earth just experienced a major shock with the landing of the Martians. The main character of the film is Iron Idem (Roman Wilhelmi) who is a high-energy newscaster that is loved and well known by the people. Although Iron isn't really much of a rebel, people think of his as being different because he is a "free thinker." Little do people know he reads the script that his boss writes and isn't such a radical. Those in power treat him with contempt and don't take any chances, pushing him into turning into more of a dissenter than he really is. The government is totalitarian and collaborates with the Martians, doing all it can to please the invaders. And the aliens do want something... blood. The people are encouraged to register their blood type and donate often. Of course, there are penalties for not donating. A few elements of the story are unclear allowing room for speculation as well as mystery. To say The War of the World: Next Century is on the strange side would be a fair way to describe it. It could also be called artistic but more importantly it is deep. It shows us a world that is very different but also the same as ours. It makes us reflect on our own thinking and way of life in a clever way, which is ingenious. Although there are many messages in the film the one that stands out concerns television and propaganda. The government uses TV as their tool and the people buy it all and even like it. Iron Idem comes to see through the manipulation with his experiences but getting anyone else to see the truth holds to be a challenge. The controllers have a plan for what will happen days in advance and even go so far as staging fake events. Remarkably, the people gasp and awe when they see staged event on the news.
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Queen Bona (Krolowa Bona)(1981) Director: Janusz Majewski;Krolowa Bona (Queen Bona) is a historic epic set in the 16th century. It is a twelve episode TV series produced by Polish Television. Each episode begins with a quick summary of what has happened up to now to give a brief orientation and reference to what will happen next. Most of the story revolves around the Queen Bona, who came from Italy to be the second wife of Sigismund I the Old. She brought with her a weathy dowery and just as many ideas to improve the condtion of Poland. When Queen Bona came to Poland, she treated it as her own country. She takes her responsibility very serious and did all she could to be a good Queen. Queen Bona has a lot of things to keep her worried with enemies such as the Hapsburgs, the Turks and the Tartars. In Poland, she faces many problems because much of the country is not developed to her liking. But in time, she turns wastelands into sources of gold. Bona despises and distrusts the Hapsburgs more than anyone in the kingdom of Poland. And her distrust of them was truly foresight as the future shows their intentions were not good. The politics, the eavesdropping, and the gossiping are enough to make someone's head spin and would rival any soap opera. Although Bona is a strong leader, she isn't a feminist in the least. She listens to her husband and embraces her role as a woman and queen. She endlessly worries about the future of the Jagiellonian dynasty and producing male heirs to continue their legacy. She is not only concerned for herself, but her family and Poland, her new country. This TV series is a great tribute to Bona Sforza, the Queen of Poland. From the supurb acting to the stunning costumes, Krolowa Bona is a serial of the highest caliber. This series brings history to life and is a great outline of 16th century Polish history. Watching this series is like a crash course in 16th century Polish history. It doesn't focus on any battles but rather the politics of the time. Krolowa Bona is an absolutely wonderful series and perfect for those who enjoy historical films.
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Man of Iron (Czlowiek z Zelaza)(1981) Director: Andrzej Wajda;Man of Iron (Czlowiek z Zelaza) is the sequel to Andrzej Wajda's Man of Marble. Much like Man of Marble, which consists of an unraveling story that is unfolded by a series of flashbacks told by various characters, this film follows a similar format. This time, a reporter named Winkel has the task of unraveling the story at the urging of government agents who want him to find dirt on Maciej Tomczyk (Jerzy Radziwilowicz), a key player of Solidarity movement. Although the characters of the film are fictitious, it is based on historical events. As Man of Marble recounts events of the 1950s to 1970s, Man of Iron covers the time of the 1970s to 1980s. Essentially, Man of Iron is the story of how the government attempts to suppress the steelworkers' strike. In the context of the story we learn about the Police State that existed in the early 1980s in Poland and the Solidarity movement that helped topple communism. I also have to add, Man of Iron stands alone well and it isn't necessary to watch Man of Marble to enjoy it. For those who saw Man of Marble this film will be even more interesting as it resolves the questions left unanswered. Man of Iron has several of the same leading actors (such as Krystyna Janda). Furthermore, a young Boguslaw Linda, who later became one of the most popular and highest paid Polish actors in the 1990s-2000s, also plays a part in Man of Iron. This early character is quite a contrast to the "though guy" roles he is most known for and which made him famous. Also of interest is that Lech Walesa, who is practically synonymous with the Solidarity movement, appears as himself in this movie. Andrzej Wajda is probably one of the most famous Polish directors of all time. His films are often based on great works of literature or portray important historical events. Unquestionably, Man of Iron fits in with the later showing us a key event of great importance to Polish history from the early 1980s. Wajda's films are all worth watching.
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Tonia is asked personal question but they are particularly interested in her past lovers. She is a bit stubborn and a free spirit, which doesn't help her as their goal is to break her. The interrogators try to wear her out but she still remains strong despite their many efforts to break her spirit. I got the sense that the prison was a place where time stands still. The inmates there have no idea what time it is or how much time has passed. This sense of timelessness only increases their awareness of their pains.
Several scenes of the movie are brutal and we are not spared a good and close look at it. The prison guards treat the inmates like animals. Unquestionably, Przesluchanie could be considered a very emotional film as it shows a lot of screaming and raw violence. One cannot escape the comparison of the treatment Tonia received to the harsh treatment that made the Nazis infamous as it is mentioned several times. Although not stated, we quickly see that her prison interrogators are probably no better.
In my opinion, Interrogation holds a very special and important place in Polish cinema. The story is terrifying yet realistic. The acting is flawless and the story is captivating. It exposes oppression from over half a century ago but the same thing could (and perhaps does) happen today.
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Mother of Kings (Matka Krolow)(1982) Director: Janusz Zaorski;Mother of Kings (Matka Krolow) is a story about a family and how the government changes after the war influenced their lives. The movie opens with creepy organ music playing and Lucja Krul besides her deceased husband who was killed in an accident. Shortly later, she gives birth to her fourth son. From there, we see the family in the years before and after World War II. The family goes though many trials and despite their efforts to do what is right, the results are not always fortunate. The film is in black and white making it look older, as if it was from the time period it depicts. There is news footage mixed in periodically thorough the film and because it is in black in white, it does this without looking conspicuous. It is also quite possible that it lacks color in an effort to be artsy. There are a number of movies that were banned by the Communists censors in Poland. Although some of them have obvious criticism toward Communism, others are more subtle and I have no idea why they were ever banned. Mother of Kings was made in 1982 but released in 1987 when censorship was more relaxed. It depicts people who try to be good and fit in with the new government but end up disappointed and shows the system as flawed. Janusz Zaorski directs Mother of Kings. Comparing it to his other films that I have watched (Pilkarski Poker/Soccer Poker, Szczesliwego Nowego Jorku/Happy New York, and Haker), I would say they are all quite different and I would never have guessed they were by the same director. They all have their own unique style and feel. The only thing in common between them is they all include some of the best Polish actors. Mother of Kings has some of my favorite Polish actors such as Boguslaw Linda, Jerzy Stuhr and Franciszek Pieczka. Mother of Kings is a memorable family epic that depicts the effects Communism had on the lives of the Krul (King) family. The story has a bit more depth than many movies so it is even enjoyable watching more than once. If you enjoy family dramas or artsy films, Mother of Kings is for you.
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Austeria(1983) Director: Jerzy Kawalerowicz;"Austeria" is a story of the lives of many people on the first day of World War I. With the outbreak of war, chaos erupts and spreads like wildfire. Most of characters in the movie are Jewish and we get to see a glimpse of their customs and traditions in this memorable film. "Austeria" captures an intense feeling of chaos, confusion, and fear that people undoubtedly felt in 1914 with the outbreak of the world war. The main character of the film is the Jewish innkeeper named Tag (as played by Franciszek Pieczka). Tag has his daughter and granddaughter living with him at the inn, as well as a young woman that lives in a barn. The young woman is sort of a mistress to Tag and adds the sensual/provocative flair to the film. Being near the border in Galicia, an area controlled by the Austrians, the fighting between the Cossacks and Hungarian hussars is a stone throw away. Others encourage Tag to leave, but he doesn't. In fact, some of those that tell him to leave end up coming back to his inn as fleeing didn't turn out to be much use, as there was no where safe to run. I find Pieczka to be a likeable guy, with his combination of serious and sage-like expressions that are always a treat. One feature that makes "Austeria" interesting is that it has a complex interplay of various characters, with most of the story occurring within a short amount of time. Tag's inn becomes full of an assortment of characters as the day progresses, including a Hungarian hussar and many Jews both young and old. With such an assorted bunch at the inn, there is perhaps just as much chaos inside the inn as there is outside with the war raging. With so much going on, the emotions and suspense flow freely. "Austeria" is amazing in that it provide us an emotional glimpse of the outbreak of war and how various people may react to that. |
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Sexmission (Seksmisja)(1984) Director: Juliusz Machulski;"Seksmisja" is practically a classic in Polish cinema. Although it is known to be a comedy, it is also science fiction. Made in 1984, Seksmisja is not one of your loaded with special effects films. It has relatively simple sets and effects that might resemble the original Star Trek, but this does add a unique flavor to the humor. Seeing women on rollerskates and using slides to get around in a futuristic world is amusing. The story is about two men who are cytogenetically frozen and wake up in a strange world. It is an underground city in a post World War III world. But even more shocking is that there are no men. The two men are now captives in a world of women. I have nothing but high praise for this movie and ranks among one of my favorite Polish films I ever watched. It so ingeniously blends an interesting story with humor that will make you laugh as well as think on some of the political commentary mixed into the story on the dangers of radical feminism. To top it off, most of the women in this world are nice to look at making it difficult to ask for anything more. |
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Follies of Miss Eva (Szalenstwa Panny Ewy)(1985) Director: Kazimierz Tarnas;"Follies of Miss Eva" (Szalenstwa Panny Ewy) takes us back to 1932, a time period that befits the story. When Eva's father must go to China for work, her father warns her not to makes follies while he is gone. But Eva Tyszowska (Dorota Grzelak) can't help being curious and finds her way to misadventures. Eva is a 15-year-old girl that is full of spirit. She lives in a colorful world as her imagination makes the world more interesting. You can witness her imagination in the exaggerated stories she tells others. Although she is young, she is full of courage and braver than most of the adults she meets. It is hard not to like Eva because she is nearly always smiling and has a great personality. Eva resolves the problems around her, which most of the time end up working out without causing more problems. She helps others resolve their debt, achieve their dreams, and even acts as matchmaker so others can be happy. There is something magical about Eva and she will charm you with the way she acts. "Follies of Miss Eva" is based on the story by Kornel Makuszynski. Several of Makuszynski's stories were made into films includng "Awantura o Basie" and "Szatan z Siodmej Klasy." Makuszynski is also renoun for helping to create Koziolek Matolek, one of Poland's first comic books in 1933 about a Billy-Goat. One could say that "Follies of Miss Eva" is for children but it is really a family film. It is a delightful story filled with humor. "Follies of Miss Eva" has appeal for all ages and is one that is great to watch with the whole family. |
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Girls from Nowolipki (Dziewczeta z Nowolipek)(1986) Director: Barbara Sass;Girls from Nowolipki is a drama about four young women in the early 1900s. At the time, the area of Poland they live in is under Russian control and life isn't easy. Although these women start the film cheerfully eating apples, they will all face great difficulties and their futures are not romantic by any means. Some of the choices they make are not the best but the situations they face are not easy and undoubtedly influence them negatively. I like how story has a spectrum of characters. There is always someone that has it better than someone else; but there is always someone that has it worse than another. For example, two of the women do not have fathers but those that do have other problems because of it. The paths of the four women take different turns but they all have a few similar problems. The story makes one think on the women's relationship to men. Some of the women think that they need a man to survive but finding a good man seems to be nearly impossible. Some of their mothers encourage them to find a man and do whatever it takes to keep him believing he will help them out of poverty. On the other hand, one of the mothers discourages her daughter from dating and just wants her to study. Sadly, most of the men they know are really only interested in their bodies. Sooner or later, just about all of them use their body to influence men. If you enjoy historical drams, check out Girls from Nowolipki. The story of Girls from Nowolipki is concluded in its sequel The Apple Tree of Paradise. I am curious to see if any of the girls learn to live without men or if they end up with a good guy in the end. |
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Apple Tree of Paradise (Rajska Jablon)(1986) Director: Barbara Sass;Apple Tree of Paradise (Rajska Jablon) takes place about eight years after Girls from Nowolipki, shortly after World War I. The title of the movie can be considered a metaphor of the events in the story. When the women take what is forbidden they are punished for their actions. Although it is not much of a surprise that forbidden fruit leads to trouble, this classic theme is sure to deliver drama. As you know from part one, these girls love their apples. Amelka is married but cheats on her husband looking for amusement and love. Bronka is single but finds her delights in married men. The adulterers want love but look for it in the wrong places. The final woman in the trio is different than her friends. Kwiryna doesn't quite fit the metaphor of taking the forbidden and her only sin is being on the cheap side. Kwiryna doesn't cheat on the husband she loves but has troubles because she is frugal. Her husband is on the lazy side and very generous with her money, which causes them argument after argument. She sacrifices her own pleasures to save money while her husband believes he is generous giving away the money she earned. I would say Apple Tree of Paradise is as good or better than Girls from Nowolipki. I like this movie because it has a well-orchestrated story with a sense of balance and symmetry. The choices the women make are echoes of the choices they made in their youth. Furthermore, the choices they make make their lives spiral out of control. One can rationalize how they got this way and say they were in difficult situations or had bad judgments (or a combination of the two) but, as with tragedies, maybe it was just meant to be. |
The story begins aboard a penitentiary star cruiser. A prison official gives a speech intended to inspire the other inmates and makes it look like an honor to be a space explorer. Prisoner 287138 (Daniel Olbrychski) is given a space helmet in this ceremony staged in front of cages of locked prisoners. The nobility of the official's words are contrasted by the rough treatment the guards give him before he is quickly dispatched into a shuttle to perform his mission.
But the world Prisoner 287138 lands on is not uninhabited. He is greeted by a man (Jerzy Stuhr) that has a car with a young woman (Katarzyna Figura) in the back seat. We find out the pretty woman's name is Once and she catches the interest of our space explorer. It is very suspenseful as we learn about this weird planet. Prisoner 287138 is considered a "hero" and is very warmly received but the role of a hero, as we soon find out, is not entirely a pleasant one.
There is more to Szulkin's movies than just a simple story. They have an artistic side and satirical commentary on society. A reoccurring theme in Ga, Ga Chwala Bohaterom concerns freedom of action and choice. Although the world we find in this film is bizarre and grisly, it has aspects that could mirror our own.
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Kingsize(1987) Director: Juliusz Machulski;"Kingsize," directed by Juliusz Machulski, is a fantasy comedy that has a good measure of substance. Like his 1984 comedy "Sex Mission," the topic of this movie deals with people that control the masses. This movie could be interpreted as a political commentary or simple entertainment. I found "Kingsize" to have that magic feeling similar to Jim Henson's 1986 cult hit, "Labyrinth." The story is a bit like a fairy tale. In the basement of a library exists a male-only world of tiny dwarves. By drinking a magic potion, these creatures can become the size of ordinary humans. In their enlarged state they can enjoy the world that is inhabited by soft creatures called women. Cuddling with women is tempting to the dwarves and few ever want to return once they get to be king-size. One of these soft creatures is Katarzyna Figura, who adds a very provocative element to the movie with her charm and good looks. The ruler of the dwarves (Jerzy Stuhr) wants to control of who can become big with kingsize potion. Others want to choose for themselves whether they become big. Although components of the story may be found elsewhere, as a whole, "Kingsize" is original and very entertaining. I loved this weird fairy tale type of story where two regular fellows learn how the few controlling the power hold the truth. "Kingsize" is delightfully entertaining. |
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On the Banks of the Niemen (Nad Niemnem)(1987) Director: Zbigniew Kuzminski;"On the Banks of the Niemen" (Nad Niemnem), directed by Zbigniew Kuzminski, is a beautiful film that takes place 20 years after the January Uprising of 1863. Throughout the film there are short glimpses of the events leading up to the battle in the forest 20 years prior that is so meaningful to the families that live on the Niemen. With graceful clothes, elegant manors, and picturesque fields, nearly everything about this film is gorgeous. The film is 170 minutes in length, which allows for the story to fully develop and the viewer to become enchanted by this extraordinary film based on a novel by Eliza Orzeszkowa. The story focuses on the events of Justyna Orzelska (played by Iwona Powlak), a young noblewoman who catches the eye of several men with her beauty. Her first love Zygmunt, despite now being married, pleads with her to rekindle their love. Another nobleman by the name of Teofil Rozyc is captivated by Justyna's attractiveness and manner, despite his worldly travels and exploits with more attractive women in cities across Europe. Furthermore, a peasant by the name of Jan Bohaterowicz also is smitten by Justyna, but behaves in a more noble fashion than the other two men combined. As a side note, Jan Bohaterowicz's family comes from a noble source as their clan and family name was bestowed by King Sigismund Augustus when his ancestors Jan and Cecily where knighted in the 16th century, but their noble status was later taken away. Justyna lives at her uncle Benidict's manor with her father, as her father lost his fortune. Also in the house live Benidict's wife, two children, and his sister. Benidict's wife is a hysterical type that has chocking fits whenever things are not in accord with her wishes. On the one hand, Benidict is hard working and strives to ensure that the family continues to hold their land; and on the other, his wife and her friends are weak, snobbish people that know nothing of work. Justyna comes to like Jan Bohaterowicz, going against her family's wishes for her to marry a nobleman. However, something binds the two families besdies the love of Justyna and Jan. In the uprising, Jan's father and Benidict's brother both died fighting for the same cause and both now lie in the same grave, that holds the 40 men that attempted to rebel against the Russians that overran and controlled their lands. "On the Banks of the Niemen" is one of the most beautiful films I have ever watched. From the music, to the story and the landscape, "On the Banks of the Niemen" can only be described as elegant. This 19th century love story is one that will capture your attention with its elegance. |
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H.M. Deserters (C.K. Dezerterzy)(1987) Director: Janusz Majewski;"H.M. Deserters" (C.K. Dezerterzy) shows us a story about an unruly group of soldiers in the Austro-Hungarian army during WWI. They are soldiers who would rather spend their time at the whorehouse and very often look inept as soldiers, but they continuously make their commander look like a fool. I couldn't help but laugh at how they make a mockery of the rules and order of an army. The film is broken into two parts. The first part deals with the soldiers at their camp, with much of the humor dealing with the ridiculous interactions of the soldiers and their sadistic commander who tries to discipline them. This was my favorite part of the movie and had more than a few parts that made me laugh out loud. I also thought it was funny that there is actually no fighting in the movie; the whole military aspect of the story is only the backdrop. This group of soldiers at the camp is made up of men from various nations under the control of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, with hardly any being Austrian or Hungarian, so they are not really motivated to be there. The second part of the movie deals with five of the solders' escape (deserting) from the camp. They leave a trail of chaos behind them wherever they go, with women to remember them and men that were cheated by them. I found their adventures amusing and even erotic at times. "H.M. Deserters" has adventure, an interesting storyline, and a good amount of humor mixed in. These deserters are very clever, witty, and know how to make their own excitement. Although you may not learn much about WWI, it may be perfect for that night you are looking for some comic relief. |
"A Short Film About Love" is an expanded version of one of the "Decalogue" episodes. This movie is about 20 minutes longer and has a different ending. Both are exceptional, and if you enjoyed the "Decalogue" episode, this one is worth watching too. This is a truly amazing and captivating story. The art and genius of Kieslowski is all here.
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On the Silver Globe (Na Srebrnym Globie)(1988) Director: Andrzej Zulawski;On the Silver Globe (Na Srebrnym Globie) is a remarkable science fiction epic by Andrzej Zulawski. The movie begins with primitives trading a recording device to astronauts. The tapes chronicle the history of four earlier astronauts that crashed and began a civilization on the planet they are on. A man is wounded from the crash and dies shortly later. The rest, two men and a woman, explore this world and have a lot of children. In a few decades there are now hundreds of people with their own culture. The children consider the last surviving male astronaut an all-knowing god. The new astronauts enter this strange culture with a cult-like religion that considers them gods. On the Silver Globe got into trouble with communist censors who halted its production. Parts of the movie were unfinished so they are filled in with the director telling us what should have been there while we see filler footage of landscapes or city scenes. It is unfortunate that Zulawski wasn't able to finish it as he intended but we are fortunate enough it wasn't completely lost (about 1/5 of the film is missing). Why the censor halted production is unknown as there really isn't anything political in the film (although a reoccurring philosophical theme concerns if we are more than just animals, that is to say, if we are a soul in a body). I would give On the Silver Globe high grades for being original. The film is based on the Lunar Trilogy books written by the director's granduncle Jerzy Zulawski in the early 1900s. Although aspects of this movie can be compared to others, its innovativeness is impressive. The bizarre world we see in On the Silver Globe is like seeing another culture that is foreign to us. I haven't seen too many of Andrzej Zulawski's films but the one's I did left me with a great impression of his ability; he is a brilliant director. I only wish he had more Polish films (he has more in French than in Polish). Besides Zulawski fans, those that enjoy serious science fiction and Polish films buffs may enjoy this movie (as science fiction is a relatievly rare genra in Polish cinema). I would defiantly call On the Silver Globe an art film so those who appreciate this type of cinema should also check it out. |
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Soccer Poker (Pilkarski Poker)(1988) Director: Janusz Zaorski;Getting by in Communist Poland wasn't easy so those who were good at contriving got ahead. Of course, the contriving happened at every level of society. Soccer Poker (Pilkarski Poker) is a story of bribery and corruption; where those that own the teams try to control the outcomes of the game unbeknownst to the fans and most of the players for their own financial gain. A referee is a symbol of honesty but also someone that has a lot of power in fate of the game. The main character in the movie is Laguna (Janusz Gajos), who was a star player when he was younger, and now is an alcoholic referee. His nickname for his wife is "bribe" and she urges him to see the scores end up a certain way. Although he wants to be fair, he is pressured to go along and fix the games. Naturally, he is going to get all he can out of the deal too. I give the movie credit for presenting a story that may happen much more than we are aware of. I also like how Soccer Poker captures the feeling of Poland in the 1980s and has a bit of Polish culture mixed in. It has a very similar feeling to the several other 1980s Polish films about scammers/cheats, but each one takes a unique angle.
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