INDEPENDENT POLAND

10 FILMS ON THE CENTENIAL OF INDEPENDENCE

Independent Poland – History in Moving Pictures is a collection of ten film adaptations of selected painting and drawings which present events and figures associated with the struggles to regain Polish independence. The educational series was produced by Documentary and Feature Film Studios.

Thanks to the efforts of renowned artists, historical figures come to life including Tadeusz Rejtan, Tadeusz Kościuszko, Emilia Plater, soldiers from the battle of Olszynka Grochowska, heroes of the January Uprising, the light horsemen from the times of the Duchy of Warsaw, the revolutionaries of 1905, as well as Józef Piłsudski leading units of his riflemen which gave rise to the Polish Legions.

The roles of the historic heroes are played by renowned Polish actors including Marcin Bosak, Mateusz Damięcki, Tomasz Schimscheiner and Marcin Hycnar. Spectacular sets and colourful costumes transport the audience into the past, allowing them to enter the interior of the painting itself, so to speak, take a look at its heroes, listen to their conversations and discover the historical context of the events immortalized by the artist. Each storyline is accompanied by narration by prominent Polish actor Olgierd Łukaszewicz who talks about the historical background of events presented in the film.

Every film has its roots in a masterpiece of fine art. Among the archetypes are such classics as: paintings by Wojciech Kossak (Kościuszko’s Oath On The Main Market Square Of Krakow On 24 March 1794, Battle Of Olszynka Grochowska and Emilia Plater Skirmishing At Szawle), Jan Matejko (Rejtan, Or The Fall Of Poland), Jacek Malczewski (Christmas Eve In Siberia), Maksymilian Gierymski (Insurgent Patrol), Artur Grottger (Forging Of War Scythes), Stanisław Masłowski (Spring Of 1905), Horacy Vernet (Battle Of Somosierra) and Stanisław Kaczor-Batowski (Józef Piłsudski’s Riflemen Entering Kielce In 1914).

A modern form of education such as the series History in Moving Pictures in an accessible way makes it possible to get to know important figures from the pantheon of Poland’s history and to better grasp historical issues, and at the same time can provide food for thought and discussion as well as a highly attractive teaching aid.

DVD RELEASE

The collection is available on DVD with English subtitles.

Price: 200 PLN

Contact: ozywione.obrazy@wfdif.pl