Polish Film Academy: Artistic search for silent cinema | Mighty Man + Europe

TypeHall 1 - Cinema

Hour

23.11

|

Jan 17 |

Lecture: Wojciech Otto, PhD

Strong Man (78')

Henryk Bielecki is a type of strong man, striving for fame and wealth at all costs. He even goes so far as to murder a certain writer, which allows him to publish the books of the murdered under his own name and gain notoriety. The meeting of the beautiful, extremely subtle Nina Ligęza, the wife of an earthly citizen, causes a breakthrough in his life. Under its influence, he is morally reborn and becomes aware of all the abomination of his conduct and the misery of his previous life. Thanks to her, he becomes a truly strong man, a strong force of character. Not wanting to harm others anymore and unable to find a place for himself in the world, he commits suicide.

Language: PolskiMOCNY CZŁOWY, dir. Henryk Szaro, Poland 1929, 78'

--For whom: youth, adults

Venue: Sala 1 - Kinowa

Tickets: PLN 15 (for a single session), PLN 150 (pass for the whole semester)

Europe (15')

The film is considered the beginning of Polish experimental cinema. It is based on a futuristic poem by Anatol Stern from 1925. It was an expression of rebellion against the wars and the crisis of the new European society, which was on the verge of collapse. He stigmatized elites exploiting the working masses and the lower social strata. Its creators, the young married couple Francis and Stefan Themerson, realized it with their own sumpt in their apartment. Limited technical capabilities and small financial resources led them to create their own distinctive and unique style. The result of their work put them at the forefront of the most recognized artists in Polish avant-garde circles. In later years, they created the Association of Film Authors, organized community screenings and discussions, as well as film workshops.

The film “Europe” for decades was considered lost, also by its creators. 50 years after its release, the Themersons began to realize its remake, or attempt to reconstruct it. In 2019, the film was found at the Bundesarchiv in Germany, then digitized, digitally restored and presented to the public again. His discovery made it possible to fill a gap in the history of European experimental cinema.

EUROPE, dir. Franciszka Themerson, Stefan Themerson, 15'