Daniel Szczechura’s Animations: Second Set

After-screening Q&A with the director.

The world of Daniel Szczechura’s imagination comes to life once again – filled with irony, absurdity, and sharp reflections on reality. In this selection, the filmmaker plays with form and narrative, commenting on ideological mechanisms (The Letter), the absurdities of the system (The Machine), and the limits of human dreams (If You See a Cat Flying in the Sky…). Often seemingly lighthearted, these stories conceal deeper meanings, as in Charles, The Landing Operation, or XYZ…, where surrealism blends with incisive social commentary. Szczechura’s humor, though grotesque, does not strip his films of melancholy – characters in Being a Fish or The Sock discover that reality does not always meet their expectations.

Daniel Szczechura (born 1930) is one of Poland’s most influential animators, a master of experimentation who blended surrealism, irony, and deep social reflection. His film The Chair (1963) is a metaphorical take on power structures, while The Voyage (1970) explores alienation and existential anxiety. Often devoid of dialogue, his animations stand out for their evocative symbolism and unique visual style. As an educator, he shaped generations of animators. Recognized at international festivals, he remains a visionary who redefined animation as a powerful artistic medium.