Alternatywy 4, dir. Stanisław Bareja (1983, 60′) • Meeting with Janusz Płoński, writer of the series

Meeting with Janusz Płoński, co-writer of the cult series Alternative 4 and author of the book Alternative 4 — a guide to the series and reality, revealing behind the scenes of production and adventures with censorship and the authorities of the time.

The meeting is accompanied by a screening of the first episode of the series Alternative 4, directed by Stanisław Bareja (1983, 60′).

Episode 1 “Assignment” directed by Stanisław Bareja (1986, 60').

Allocation The premises of the housing cooperative are besieged by candidates applying for the allotment. Unexpectedly, a TV crew arrives at the housing cooperative. Thanks to the efforts of the editor, a list of people who will receive their own “M” is finally posted. Among those waiting, Dionizy Cichocki is randomly selected to express his satisfaction with the assignment in front of the camera. His name is not on the list, but the reporters do not care and even under duress they make him play the role of the lucky one. Meanwhile, with the news of the assignment of the new M-5, the commission goes to Antoni Kierka. Together with him in the new block on Ursynów will live his relatives. Stanisław Anioł — the current Head of the Department of Culture of the Municipal Committee of the PZPR in Pułtusk, also receives the assignment. He's going to host the block. In order not to be compromised, he announces to everyone that he is being seconded to a high post in Warsaw. Józef Balcerek is completely dissatisfied with the apartment he received, who prefers an old ruder in Prague and libations with friends.

Stanisław Bareja (1929—1987) was one of the most prominent Polish comedy directors. Although at the beginning of his career he also created the crime film “Touch of the Night” (1962) and the series “Captain Owl on the Trail” (1965), his greatest fame was brought to him by comedies such as “Wanted, Wanted” (1973), “No Rose Without Fire” (1974) and “The Bear” (1980).

His work is divided into two periods: light situational comedies from the 60s and satirical images of the PRL from the 70s and 80s, full of irony and absurdity. The second stream includes the series “Alternatives 4”, filmed in the early 1980s, but aired only in 1986-1987 due to censorship. The series gained immense popularity thanks to its humor and excellent cast, which included, among others, Stanisława Celińska, Bożena Dykiel, Janusz Gajos, Witold Pyrkosz, Roman Wilhelmi, Jerzy Kryszak.