Krzysztof Kieślowski: A Set of Short Docs
This collection of Krzysztof Kieslowski’s films offers a chance to revisit both celebrated classics and lesser-known yet equally significant works in the realm of Polish documentary filmmaking. From the director’s rich oeuvre emerges a clear, highly critical picture of the People’s Republic of Poland. Gray reality, ossified bureaucracy, complicated fates of people forced to function in an inefficient system. The director, focusing on individuals working against the odds, such as the surgeons depicted in the poignant Hospital, seeks to uncover universal truths about the human condition through their experiences.
Jakub Demiańczuk
Krzysztof Kieślowski (1941–1996) was a Polish filmmaker who started out as a director of documentaries. He gained international fame with the TV series The Decalogue (1989) and two films that were extended versions of its episodes, A Short Film about Killing and A Short Film about Love. These were followed by The Double Life of Veronique (1991) and his last work, the Three Colours trilogy (1993–94).
partner of the screening
partner of the screening
DATE
April 9, 2024
TIME
4:00 PM
VENUE
Kino Atlantic D
COPY / OTHERS
Intro
DATE
April 10, 2024
TIME
10:30 AM
VENUE
Kino Atlantic C
COPY / OTHERS
Q’n’A- Intro
Live music
Debate
ENGLISH TITLE
Krzysztof Kieślowski: A Set of Short Docs
SECTION
DURATION
92 min
SALES
WFDiF
DECADE
EDITION
TRIGGER WARNING
???
– ???
From the City of Łódź
ENGLISH TITLE
From the City of Łódź
ORIGINAL TITLE
Z miasta Łodzi
LANGUAGE
Polish
SUBTITLES
English
DIRECTOR
Krzysztof Kieślowski
DURATION
17 min
YEAR
1969
COUNTRY
Poland
Supervised by Kazimierz Karabasz, this reportage from Lodz presents an optimistic commentary juxtaposed with images that capture the essence of the city much better than words.
Jakub Demiańczuk
The Bricklayer
ENGLISH TITLE
The Bricklayer
ORIGINAL TITLE
Murarz
LANGUAGE
Polish
SUBTITLES
English
DIRECTOR
Krzysztof Kieślowski
DURATION
16 min
YEAR
1973
COUNTRY
Poland
Centered around a former shock worker preparing for the Labour Day parade, this film, critical of real socialism, remained shelved until the 1980s.
Jakub Demiańczuk
From a Night Porter’s Point of View
ENGLISH TITLE
From a Night Porter’s Point of View
ORIGINAL TITLE
Z punktu widzenia nocnego portiera
LANGUAGE
Polish
SUBTITLES
English
DIRECTOR
Krzysztof Kieślowski
DURATION
15 min
YEAR
1977
COUNTRY
Poland
One of Kieślowski’s most famous documentaries uses the primitive views of a factory guard as a metaphor for a society yearning for total control. A theme still relevant, unfortunately, nearly half a century after its premiere.
Jakub Demiańczuk
Refrain
ENGLISH TITLE
Refrain
ORIGINAL TITLE
Refren
LANGUAGE
Polish
SUBTITLES
English
DIRECTOR
Krzysztof Kieślowski
DURATION
1972
YEAR
10 min
COUNTRY
Poland
A record of the operations of a funeral parlor. Paranoid bureaucracy reaches man even after death.
Jakub Demiańczuk
Hospital
ENGLISH TITLE
Hospital
ORIGINAL TITLE
Szpital
LANGUAGE
Polish
SUBTITLES
English
DIRECTOR
Krzysztof Kieślowski
DURATION
20 min
YEAR
1977
COUNTRY
Poland
A reporter’s account of a surgical duty station as a picture of the reality of perpetual shortages, bureaucracy, and permanent crisis. Grand Prix of the Krakow Film Festival.
Jakub Demiańczuk
Talking Heads
ENGLISH TITLE
Talking Heads
ORIGINAL TITLE
Gadające głowy
LANGUAGE
Polish
SUBTITLES
English
DIRECTOR
Krzysztof Kieślowski
DURATION
14 min
YEAR
1980
COUNTRY
Poland
What do Poles want? What is most important to them? A fascinating insight into the spirit and consciousness of Poles during a turbulent time of social change, heralding the end of the totalitarian system.
Jakub Demiańczuk
