BCkino — Without anesthesia

Without anesthesia — a psychological drama, Poland, 1978, directed by Andrzej Wajda; cast: Zbigniew Zapasiewicz, Andrzej Seweryn, Ewa Dałkowska.

A depressing picture of the Polish political and social reality of the second half of the 1970s, and at the same time a critical diagnosis of attitudes at a time of mistrust and oppression by the system. A popular reporter — modeled on the character of Ryszard Kapuściński — returns from another journalistic expedition to Poland. Surprisingly, he assumes that he becomes — without any explanation — the object of organized obscenity. At work, he is indoctrinated by a younger colleague, in the environment he is accused of conjuncturalism and opportunism, at home his wife files for divorce. So far, a successful man, suddenly abandoned by everyone, is put in Kafkovskaya's situation, losing faith in any values or even the meaning of life.

“WAJDA: re-visions. Andrzej Wajda's 100th Birthday Film Review” 10 Movies | March — December 2026

On the 100th anniversary of Andrzej Wajda's birth, we invite you to a unique review of “WAJDA: re-visions” — a series of ten films by one of the most outstanding creators of world cinema. It is not only a tribute to the director's achievements, but also a fresh look at his works: read anew today, in a different historical and social context, they continue to move, provoke and inspire.

Andrzej Wajda is the only Polish filmmaker honored with an Oscar for his lifetime of work and at the same time one of the most important figures in world cinema. Director, screenwriter, theater director, artistic director of the legendary Film Ensemble “X”, educator, activist of the democratic opposition, for whom cinema was an artistic, civic and moral obligation.

Although today he may be seen as a monumental creator, belonging to the past, Wajda remains a surprisingly modern director. His films still impress today with their narrative mastery, rhythmic dynamics, painterly sensibility and intense metaphorism. He was the demiurge of the film set — always perfectly prepared, full of energy and passion, with great tenderness towards the actors and collaborators. He discovered talents, inspired younger artists and was able to extract maximum potential from entire artistic ensembles.

The review will begin in March, the month of the Director's birthday and will last until December. The mini-retrospective “WAJDA: Re-visions” aims to restore Wajda as the creator of the current — modern, youthful in expression and extremely dynamic — director who has always kept his hand on the pulse of contemporary culture and with extraordinary insight told about young people entangled in history, politics and national myths. The selection of films highlights the diversity of his achievements: next to the masterpieces widely recognized, there are titles that today especially demand reinterpretation and the program of the review has been arranged in the rhythm of the calendar — each month brings a different title, corresponding to the season, mood and theme of the film. The series opens with “Ash and Diamond” (1958) — a special film: the most important and most personal in Wajda's oeuvre.

“WAJDA: Re-visions” is an invitation to dialogue with the classics — to meet again with films that have contributed to our sensibility and the language of cinema. We are directing the review both to viewers who grew up with Wajda's films, and to a younger audience, for whom this will be the first encounter with his work on the big screen.

Duration: 125 min (Studio Cinemas Association) | Venue: Bytomia Promotion Office, Rynek 7 | Age: 15+ | Tickets: 13 zł

* Please be informed that events organized in the City Promotion Office take place on the first floor, without access to the elevator, which may be a hindrance for people with limited mobility.