Academy of Polish Cinema: Taboo (1987)

Tabu, 1987, directed by Andrzej Barański

Two women, mother (Grażyna Szapolowska) and daughter (Bernadetta Machała-Krzemińska) live alone on the outskirts of the village. In their work in the field and on the farm, they are helped by a friendly neighbor, Krystian (Krzysztof Gosztyła), a man in his prime. Both have feelings, knowing that one love excludes the other. Milka, the widow's daughter, has grown into a beautiful woman, aware of the passion that Krystian arouses in her. In turn, her mother, a widow, is already ready for a new relationship and is also pinning hopes on Krystian. The man, having approached both, runs away from the village without warning. Meanwhile, an old organist (Bronisław Pawlik) takes over the widow's hand, and the younger one — the son of the shop owner (Olaf Lubaszenko). Both are rejected by women. As it soon turns out, Milka is carrying Krystian's baby. Looking for an escape for herself, she offers herself to an old organist, which drives her mother crazy. The old organist turns out to be a patient, gentle and affectionate husband.

The film is a poetic expression of Andrzej Baranski's anthropological interests and his love for provincial heroes. Unhurriedly, with fascination, without reproach, he looks at the beauty and tragedy of the taboo, that is, the passion born in the triangle of mother, daughter and their friend. Each of the relationships provided time and space for the birth and transformation of affection. Despite the fact that one of the heroines will literally burn with love, the rhythm of the shots, the harmony of the picture and the gentleness of the characters convince of the hidden order of the world. The screenplay is based on the novel Tabu by Finnish writer Timo Mukka (1965). Bronisław Pawlik received the Award for supporting male role at the 13th Festival of Polish Feature Films in Gdynia.

18:00 - introductory lecture by Dr. Paweł Jaskulski

19:30 - screening of Andrzej Barański's film

Screening with english subtitles.