DKF Eroica: Without anesthesia

27.10.2026, 19:00 “Without anesthesia”, tickets: 17 zł

Directed by: Andrzej Wajda

Written by: Agnieszka Holland, Andrzej Wajda

Cast: Zbigniew Zapasiewicz, Ewa Dałkowska, Andrzej Seweryn, Krystyna Janda

Genre: Drama of manners, psychological

Production: Polska 1978

Duration: 125 min.

Distribution: Studio Cinemas Association

👉 AUTHOR'S LECTURE: KRYSTYNA KOSTARSKA — POLISH WRITER, EXPERT ON WAJDA CINEMA.

A poignant diagnosis of the society of the late 1970s, a portrait of a man surrounded by the system and his own weaknesses, one of the most penetrating analyses of the moral crisis in Polish cinema.

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.

Screening from the series: WAJDA: re-visions. Review of Andrzej Wajda's films on the 100th anniversary of his birth.

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.

Schedule of the review “WAJDA: re-visions”:

MARCH — Ash and Diamond (1958)

An icon of the Polish film school, a film-symbol and a reference point for all of Wajda's work.

APRIL — The Wedding (1972)

National drama and settlement with Poland — the perfect moment before graduation.

May — Innocent Wizards (1960)

A film about youth, love and the rhythm of the city — with a distinctly May atmosphere.

June — The Marble Man (1977)

One of the most important works of committed cinema, current and today.

JULY — Brzezina (1970)

An intimate story about life, death and nature.

AUGUST — Chronicle of Love Accidents (1985)

A love story set on the eve of war — a farewell to an era.

SEPTEMBER — Landscape after the Battle (1970)

Love in the shadow of war, which does not disappear with the end of the fighting.

OCTOBER — No Anesthesia (1978)

Constantly up-to-date film about oppression, politics and personal disintegration.

November — The Promised Land (1974)

A monumental work about the birth of capitalism and the price of success.

DECEMBER — Everything for Sale (1968)

Autotematic, winter film about loss and memory on the eve of the 60th anniversary of Zbyszek Cybulski's death.

Organizer: Studio Cinemas Association

Curator of the review: Prof. Rafał Syska

Main Partner: Documentary and Feature Film Production

Project financed by: Ministry of Culture and National Heritage

DKF “Eroica” is a member of the Polish Federation of Discussion Film Clubs, and its activities are co-financed by the Polish Film Institute as part of the film club support programme.