Revolt

Screenplay — Przemysław Pilarski

according to the concept of Przemysław Kieliszewski

Revolta is a musical performance set in the reality of Poznań June 1956. Driven by punk-rock energy, Maanamu's hits are here not so much a backdrop as a commentary on stories of rebellion, oppression, love and the struggle for bread. The action combines historical events with a plot inspired by the fate of the Poznań family. It is an emotional narrative about the first serious break against the totalitarian system in post-war Poland.

Imagine an unfriendly, gray world emerging from the rubble of war, and in this world a city whose ruins drift between one and the other in the turmoil of a new system. In the factory where you work, there are standards that are raised above the standard, for which you receive a starving salary. You can't afford clothes, you can't afford food, you can't afford an apartment. And you can't get out of this world. You can live here at most a substitute for life.

Now imagine Frank, a shipwreck of war, who finds himself in the middle of this reality. Before the war, he was a middle school teacher, but as an opponent of the new order he did not find a place in the school after the war. Today it is he who is taught hard, physical work on the factory machine. Frank has no problem with that, in his eyes everyone is equal. Similar statements are made by the creators of the ruling system. Just... are they sure they think so? Those who are at the bottom will forever remain at the bottom - Frank's betrothed brothers note bitterly.

Frank had only one brother. Mieta.

Mietek is now a high-profile camera. He believes in change. He does not understand the discontent of the workers. How can you not want to work for the common good? Franek knows that power is not about building a better world, but about making the worker bend more and more so that the system can squeeze the most out of him. Both are fiercely defending their positions.

The creators of the Revolt placed this personal, family conflict against the background of collective resistance against oppression. Inspired by the real fate of one of the Poznan families, the story goes beyond the stuffy interior of a post-war apartment, spilling over the entire city.

What would you do if you lacked hope? Would you lead the rebellion or join the crowd demanding decent living conditions? How would you behave when you had nothing to lose, because the power that was supposed to build is raging again? She was supposed to protect, and she shoots.

Although 70 years have passed since the events of June 1956, many of the wounds inflicted in those days still remain open - in the memory of people, in the history of families, in the identity of the city. Although the Revolt is a story inspired by real events, it is hard not to resist the impression that history likes to repeat itself, more often as a drama than as a farce.

The songs of Maanamu used in the performance comment on this reality, becoming witnesses of collective and personal tragedies. Although these works, for which Marek Jackowski wrote music, were composed several decades after the events of June 1956, their pronunciation and message are still relevant. Anxiety-ridden songs like “Waving and Falling,” “Night Patrol,” “Be Careful,” “The Leash,” and “Extremely Cold May” are becoming the language of protest of those who no longer want to remain silent.

Rebellion always takes a bloody toll. Innocents die who had the courage to rebuke themselves for bread. There were about sixty of them in Poznań.

The revolt has their face.

The revolt is named after them.

The performance used the songs of the band Maanam with lyrics by Olga Jackowska, Marek Jackowski (“In addition to the blue sky”) and Kamil Sipowicz (“Be careful”) with music by Marek Jackowski.

Modertrans Poznań Sp. z o.o., is the sponsor of the Premiere of the musical performance “Revolta”, and the media patron - Program 1 of the Polish Radio.

NOTE - the performance includes: strobe lights, dynamic lighting changes, smoke, death scenes, erotic scenes, vulgar language.

Listen to the ROBI SIE SHOW podcast! and learn more about the show.

REPORTAGE TVP KULTURA “Revolt — 70th anniversary of June '56"

The play takes part in the 32nd National Competition for the Exhibition of Polish Contemporary Art.

The National Competition for the Exhibition of Polish Contemporary Art aims to reward the most interesting repertory research in Polish theatre, to support domestic dramaturgy in its stage productions, to popularize Polish contemporary drama and to broaden the field of theatre criticism thanks to the presence of members of the Artistic Commission at performances in theatre centres throughout the country and their review activities.

The competition is organized by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the Zbigniew Raszewski Theatre Institute in Warsaw.

The substantive coordinator of the Competition is Dominik Gac, while the organizational and financial coordinator is Maria Stępkowska.