Halka

One of three pre-war screen adaptations of Stanisław Moniuszko’s renowned national opera, Halka unfolds in dramatic mountain landscapes. It tells the tragic story of a young woman who falls in love with a handsome nobleman, only to see their relationship thwarted by rigid social hierarchies and the instability of his affections.

Konstanty Meglicki’s Halka is not only a tale of doomed love, but also a valuable testament to the transitional moment between silent and sound cinema in Poland. Originally produced as a fully silent film, it was reissued two years later with synchronized sound and musical accompaniment, including excerpts from Moniuszko’s opera. Its digital restoration was one of the most challenging projects undertaken by the National Film Archive – Audiovisual Institute (FINA).

Karolina Hołub

Konstanty Meglicki (1890–1955) – director, actor, and educator who contributed significantly to the development of Polish cinema during the interwar period. In the 1920s, he founded a film studio attended by future stars including Mieczysław Cybulski and Zorika Szymańska, who was also his life partner. His directing career, though relatively brief, spanned the late 1920s and early 1930s. During that time, he made four silent films, including Halka (1929), which brought him his greatest recognition.

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