Close your eyes, Nel. In the Desert and in the Wilderness — Epilogue

When three adult siblings bring a sick mother from the hospital, it turns out that she is no longer their mother, but the heroine of the school reading, and they themselves are Stasi, Kali, Mea, and if necessary, even an elephant.

Piotr Domalewski — director of the award-winning films “Silent Night” and “Ministranci” — builds a bittersweet, but at the same time funny story about family, community building, as well as the need to conquer and expand one's borders.

As one of Henryk Sienkiewicz's most controversial books, “In the Desert and in the Forest” is directly accused of spreading racism and colonial resentments, and its unwavering position on the school reading list for years is often questioned. Domalewski takes a critical look at the narratives it contains, juxtaposing them with the intimate family history and imperial impulses that the Maritime and Colonial League spread among Poles.

The script uses excerpts from Grzegorz Łysia's reportage “Colonial Bzik. II Republic of Poland Overseas Cases”, Wydawnictwo W.A.B, 2023

Prizes and Trips:

○ Semifinal of the Gdynia Dramaturgy Award for Piotr Domalewski — May 2026

○ Acting Award of the 32nd National Competition for the Exhibition of Polish Contemporary Art for Dorota Pomykała — June 2026

Close Your Eyes Nel — Program

A show for people over 16 years of age.

The performance is in the final of the 32nd National Competition for the Exhibition of Polish Contemporary Art