THE PROMISED LAND

WAJDA: re- visions Bravely executed adaptation of an almost forgotten novel by Władysław Reymont, depicting the fate of three friends against the backdrop of rapidly developing Łódź at the end of the 19th century: the German Maks, the Jew Moryc and the Pole Karol. The heroes decide to set up their own textile factory in the city, which is not to the taste of Jewish, German and Russian competition. Along the way, Karol Borowiecki seduces Lucy Zuckerowa, the alluring wife of an old factory worker, using the romance to raise capital, and Moryc Welt conducts risky financial and commercial speculation in the Jewish community, balancing on the verge of bankruptcy and fraud. At the same time, Maks Baum negotiates with German industrialists in an attempt to save a failing family business, while the great financiers Bucholz, Grünspan and Müller try to win over the young and ambitious for their business. In the end, Borowiecki decides to sell his family property, move his fiancée Anka to Łódź and surrender his lofty values to the wolf rules of capitalism. This dazzling film in terms of art, narrative and acting wins in all rankings for the best film in the history of Polish cinema. The strength of Andrzej Wajda's directing, the ability to accommodate so many plots in one film and the enormous wealth of staging deserved the highest laurels. The sequence itself in the theater is today perceived as one of the greatest achievements of cinematic narration, within the framework of which the director, in a small space, managed to combine several dozen characters and plots. Among the awards, only the Oscar was missing, because although the film was the favorite, as a result of unauthorized accusations of anti-Semitism, he lost the fight for this statuette.

ENG: A brilliant adaptation of a now largely forgotten novel by Władysław Reymont, the film traces the intertwined fates of three friends against the backdrop of the rapidly industrializing city of Łódź at the end of the nineteenth century: the German Max, the Jew Moryc, and the Pole Karol. Determined to establish their own textile factory, they soon find themselves at odds with powerful Jewish, German, and Russian competitors who dominate the local market. Along the way, Karol Borowiecki seduces Lucy Zucker, the alluring wife of an aging industrialist, using the affair to secure capital, while Moryc Welt engages in risky financial and commercial schemes within the Jewish business milieu, constantly teetering on the edge of bankruptcy and fraud. At the same time, Maks Baum negotiates with German manufacturers in an attempt to save his family's declining enterprise, as influential financiers such as Bucholz, Grünspan, and Müller seek to draw ambitious young men into their own ruthless ventures. In pursuit of his plans, Borowiecki ultimately chooses to sell his family estate, bring his fiancée Anka to Łódź, and subject lofty ideals to the harsh, predatory rules of capitalism. Visually dazzling, narratively expansive, and driven by extraordinary performances, the film consistently tops rankings of the greatest works in the history of Polish cinema. Andrzej Wajda's mis-en-scene, his ability to weave together a multitude of storylines, and the sheer richness of the film's staging earned it the highest acclaim. The famous theatre sequence alone is now regarded as one of the crowning achievements of cinematic storytelling, compressing dozens of characters and narrative threads into a single, tightly choreographed space. The only major prize missing from its long list of honours was the Academy Award, which the film narrowly lost despite being a frontrunner, amid unfair accusations of antisemitism.

show with English subtitles Organiser: Studio Cinemas Association Curator: Prof. Rafał Syska Main Partner: Documentary and Feature Film Production Company: Polish Film Institute Project funded by: Ministry of Culture and National Heritage