Polish Film World

What about the world of film? I read about the changes in the infrastructure of the film industry and about the new laws allowing more funding for new movies.
What are the best actors, directors and what is going on in general?
Thanks!

I know Boguslaw Linda was famous several years ago. Also Cezary Pazura and Janus Gajos (old-timer). Linda now has his own University for Actors so there may be more talents coming up . Poland has many good directors as well as music composers (one of them has recently received a Nobel prize, but cannot remember his name). Movie production is mostly independent so whoever has more money to spend, can do it freely. It doesn't guarantee a better product though.

Can we discuss some movies here? For example I've seen a movie lately, I don't know how old it is, the name was "Dwa tygodnie z zycia mezczyzny" ("Two weeks in a man's life") with that funny guy.. I forget his name. And I really thougth that that movie was one of the worst I've ever seen, so badly played and that guy should really stick to comedies. He was quite good in that movie where he dumped his family for some reason I forget again and became a monk... etc. That movie was actually sweet and funny. What do others think?

Can you please give some names and reviews?

Yeah, it's actually "One week in a man's life". The main actor is Jerzy Stuhr (the one from the famous "Seksmisja"). I think it is a good example of "a typical Polish movie" in the last 10 years or so where one actor plays a strong performance. I have only seen maybe half of the movie (the copy was pretty bad), but I liked it. Some people think it's a little depressing movie.

Yes, it's "One week... ". Yeah, depressing movies is what Polish cinema is good at I would have to admit. What did you like about that movie? I thought that Stuhr was completely inadequate to the role he was playing.
Any other polish movies you liked?

Polish directors are very good, or at least we did have some good ones in the past. The actors though are so scarce that the couple there are play in all the movies heheh.

You are right - Polish directors like depressing or radical movies. I guess many Polish people are not happy because of the political and economical conditions Poland is right now; as a result, they produce such movies. I think in this case Stuhr was both the director and the main actor; he prefers the school of Kieslowski. I like Stuhr as an actor; I also like Janusz Gajos -- maybe not because of their last movies, but because of their overall performance throughout the years.

There are many good Polish actors, but sometimes directors don't like to work with new people for unknown reasons. Maybe because there will be more viewers when there are "good, old actors" the viewers know...?

I like the movies where they explore some ideas or topics (can't really think of a good example though... ), I think that this is pretty unique to Polish cinema and well done.

What I don't like is when they show those people who only know how to complain and don't do anything to change what they don't like, but this is surely strictly connected with the communistic past. I really hope that people start to realize that and change a little...

I like Polish comedies, maybe because I grew up with them . One that I really liked was "Chlopaki nie placza", I know it's an old movie, but so funny! Again, typical to Polish culture, but this time in a great, unique way, not sad and depressing.

Overall, I think that Polish cinema produces movies of great value, although not always the greatest technical quality. But the value alwasy wins . I also like Kieslowski, very deep thoughtful type (not for every kind of mood though).

Hmmm.. do you have any new comedies to recommend?

Hi I am a English man, thinking of teaching sound design / sound editing in poland.
I am looking for contacts in Poland to try and find schools that would be interested in discussing this with me.

I think with the EU membership funding may be available.

any help.. links, please pass this on to anyone in Poland, [english speaking], who may be interested.

thanks. - andrew - musiqueobscure@hotmail.com

I recently saw the movie "Vinci" and liked it :) I thought it had a nice combination of the (very much overdone) criminal though intelligently written plot with a nice, (finally) positive, optimistic tone! I saw it as a sign of improvement of the Polish culture - from the pessimistic, passive outlook on life, to a more optimistic and active attitude! Loved it :)

I heard that there is going to be a Polish movie about Vienna battle with Mel Gibson...

You must be the oldest member here :)

I watched a Polish film last night (first on ever) - Kamal - quite interesting.