Author: Anna Gawlita

Japanese Kujawiak

“Japanese Kujawiak” tells the story of Mr. Oka and his wife, who met in the early 1980s during a dance course (Polish kujawiak) in the town of Tomonoura, Hiroshima Prefecture. For 40 years, they have been running a school of Polish folk dances, as well as a private museum of Polish folklore. Twice a year, they are regularly visited by dancers from the Mazowsze and Śląsk ensembles to further train new groups of course participants. The film narrates the meeting of two distant cultures and the mutual benefits arising from such an encounter. It is also a universal story about confronting issues of intimacy and overcoming personal barriers stemming from the body. The film makes use of extensive VHS materials; for 40 years, the Okas have been recording every gathering of dancers, including their visit to Poland in
the 1980s, where they had a traditional polish wedding.

films in progress

Souvenir aus Polen

Documentary film about an occupied country, captured
through the lenses of amateur cameras of Nazi soldiers as
they document their leisure holiday visits.

films in progress

Ruinsurrection

Warsaw, 1944 – built from dreams by the hands of its people. A documentary city symphony tracing the mythic reconstruction of Poland’s capital, reborn through bold urbanistic vision.

films completed

The Big Chief

“The Big Chief” is an immersive spy film following an ambiguous, charismatic historical figure. Brilliantly edited archival footage from various corners of the world gradually unveils another mystery of the 20th century. Who actually was the Big Chief?

films completed

Comrades

Simone, Francesca and Olivia are three young people from Bologna who are members of the Communist Renewal Party. Full of life, they take part in demonstrations and party meetings and believe that they can change the current world, dominated by ruthless capitalism and pressure for performance, for the better. At least until the moment when it turns out that it is almost impossible to change the minds of the older party members and the unsuccessful attempts to win new supporters intersect with the difficulties in their personal lives. Comrades is an empathetic time-lapse portrait that shows how the current young generation is losing its illusions due to social pressure and turbulent internal changes, and how difficult it is to keep faith in what we believe makes sense.

“By telling the stories of Olivia, Francesca and Simone, I try to show topics shared by many 20-30-year-olds: overstimulation, confusion, and awareness of social inequalities, accompanied by a difficulty in translating their good intentions into actions that bring about real change.” — Joanna Janikowska

films completed

Bedrock

Bedrock is a psychological journey across today’s Poland that
weaves together stories of Poles living on Holocaust sites.
Through a series of intimate encounters, this poetic film
looks at the unsettling contradictions people learn to live
with.

films in progress

La Manche

In a secluded village in Podlasie, Tomasz is left alone when his wife and daughter go on vacation. During a hunting trip, he wounds a men, leading to the development of a dangerous bond.

films in progress

On the way

In the serene beauty of Tatra mountains, an asphalt road leads to a picture-perfect but overcrowded lake. Everyday thousands of tourists walk the same narrow path as if on a pilgrimage. The opera about mass tourism and nature amidst climate breakdown.

films completed

Today we’re all gonna hide

Post author By Anna Gawlita
Post date 6th March 2024
No Comments on Today we’re all gonna hide

„I’m waiting for mom and dad. Calendar ends today. A lot of us will die,
but not like Grandpa two years ago, only worse”. This is a morning
report from ten-year-old Daga. The girl is prepared for all threats.
Unlike her parents…

films completed

7 różnych rzeźb

August Zamoyski: Polish aristocrat who abandoned his family fortune to pursue the dream of becoming an artist. Often compared to Michelangelo, amazing sculptor, outstanding athlete, amateur filmmaker, avant-garde dancer, collector of fancy cars, teacher but also a scandalist who got married four times. His life story, full of sudden twists and turns, was a movie script waiting to happen.