For over a century, the idea of Poland had all but disappeared from the map-maker's checkered-colored idea of the world. A country pillaged by war, torn asunder between two of the vilest tyrants the world has ever known, crippled by totalitarian rule, it's heritage destroyed and history and identity re-written with whims, lies and delusions. But, the vision survived. Even in the midst of desolate ruin, Poland survived. In art. In literature, painting and cinema. And through art, in the hearts and minds of people. Abstraction, subversion, humane, warped, sublime, fantastic, what these works of art contained was not borders but a culture to which people longed to belong, which they called home. It is not an idea which can be explained in latitudes and longitudes or maps and passports.
It is what the Martian exiles of Philip K. Dick expressed when they constructed miniatures of landscapes of planet Earth. It was the emotion of the Big Chief of `One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' when he ends his narration with `I'm going home. I've been away a long time', of the Kabuliwala when he sang," Ae mere pyaare watan….
Bangalore Film Society is proud to be associated with the week long celebration of Poland in Bangalore, organized by Bangalore School of Music and Apple Blossom. From 2nd to 10th March, 2009, we bring to you a week long celebration of the best in Polish cinema through the ages- the classics and the cult, Wadja, Zanussi, Polanski, Skolimowski, Kieslowski, the story of Poland, of survival, of triumph over tragedy, against all odds.
There will be a special retrospective focus on the films of the renowned Krzysztof Zanussi who will also be present during the festival to introduce his films and interact with the audiences.
Monday, 2nd March, 2009 Time: 6.00pm
Persona Non Grata(2005) Dir: Krzysztof Zanussi
The expression "persona non grata" takes on multiple meanings in this tense psychological drama unfolding in the high stakes and morally dangerous world of international diplomacy. The complicated relationship between Poland and Russia plays out in multiple subplots. Jury Prize and Best Supporting Actor (Mikhalkov), Gdynia Film Festival.
- palm springs film festival website
Director Krzysztof Zanussi will be present at the screening of the film for a discussion with the audience.
Venue: Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, Thimmaiah Road, Vasanth Nagar, Bangalore – 52.
Tuesday, 3rd March, 2009 Time: 6.00pm
Knife in the Water(1962) Dir: Roman Polanski
While driving to sail with his wife Krystyna in his yacht, the arrogant and wealthy Andrzej "stumbles" onto a drifter in front of his car hitchhiking on the lonely road. Andrzej gives a ride to the young man with despisal. When they reach the marina, Andrzej unexpectedly and without any reason invites the young man to sail with them, initiating a tense dispute of power with the youth, in a claustrophobic and erotic environment. Nominated for Best Foreign Film, Academy Awards `64 and winner of FIPRESCI award, Venice '62.
- imdb
Venue: Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, Thimmaiah Road, Vasanth Nagar, Bangalore – 52.
Wednesday, 4th March, 2009 Time: 6.00pm
Ashes and Diamonds (1959) Dir: Andrzej Wajda
Maciek, a young Resistance fighter, is ordered to kill Szczuka, a Communist district leader, on the last day of World War II. Though killing has been easy for him in the past, Szczuka was a fellow soldier, and Maciek must decide whether to follow his orders. Winner of FIPRESCI award, Venice '59.
- imdb
Venue: Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, Thimmaiah Road, Vasanth Nagar, Bangalore – 52.
Thursday, 5th March, 2009 Time: 6.00pm
Camouflage(1977) Dir: Krzysztof Zanussi
A group of students who are participating in a university's summer science camp are drawn into an incredible quagmire of conflicts, ranging from the relatively simple conflict between an engaging and forthright young teacher and his older manipulative colleague, to a contest pitting political correctness against free scientific inquiry. Despite the murkiness of some of the issues in the latter conflict, the students pitch in enthusiastically on what they believe to be the side of righteousness, and passions rise to fever pitch. Winner of Golden Lion, Best Director, Best Actor at Polish Film Festival '77.
- fandango
Venue: Ashirvad, 30, St. Mark's Road cross, Op. State Bank of India
Friday, 6th March, 2009 Time: 6.00pm
Katyn(2008) Dir: Andrzej Wajda
Katyn is the name of the forest where the Soviets secretly murdered 15,000 Polish officers, intellectuals and professionals over a 3-day period in 1940 (during which a 14-year-old Wajda lost his own father). Stalin's purpose was to destroy those elements of the population who would be most resistant to Soviet control following WWII. For decades the truth was obfuscated, with the Nazis often blamed for the atrocity. Half a century later, in 1990, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev admitted his nation's responsibility. In this elegant production, Wajda recreates war-torn Poland and the stories of both the perpetrators and their victims. Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film in 2008.
- rottentomatoes
Venue: Ashirvad, 30, St. Mark's Road cross, Op. State Bank of India
Saturday, 7th March, 2009 Time: 6.00pm
Polish Animated Short Films Dir: Various
A collection of the best award-winning, groundbreaking animated short films from Poland.
Venue: Ashirvad, 30, St. Mark's Road cross, Op. State Bank of India
Sunday, 8th March 2009 Time:6.00pm
Four Nights with Anna(2008) Dir: Jerzy Skolimowsky
"Four Nights With Anna" concerns a man wrongly convicted of a vicious rape. Leon (Artur Steranko), who has a holy fool air about him, develops an obsession - chaste, but extreme - with the rape victim, Anna (Kinga Preis). He insinuates himself into her life, sneaking into her place and doing little things on her behalf: painting her toenails, fixing a cuckoo clock, cleaning up after a birthday party to which he wasn't invited. All while she is sleeping.
-imdb
Venue: Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, Thimmaiah Road, Vasanth Nagar, Bangalore – 52.
Monday, 9th March 2009 Time: 6.00pm
Fever (1981) Dir: Agnieszka Holland
The film is set in 1905, in a time of feverish revolutionary underground activity in Poland partitioned between three neighbours. All the characters are committed anarchists. The bomb maker puts an invention together to place it at the disposal of young inexperienced terrorists fighting against Tsarist oppression. The story follows the passing of this bomb from anarchist to anarchist as several attempts are made on the life of Tsarist governor general, until, at the end, it is effectively and harmlessly defused by a bomb expert. The presence of the bomb has a destroying effect on all of the Polish revolutionaries, they either die or breakdown.
-imdb
Venue: Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, Thimmaiah Road, Vasanth Nagar, Bangalore – 52.
Tuesday 10th March, 2009 Time: 6.00pm
Illumination (1973) Dir: Krzysztof Zanussi
Illuminacja follows the education of a young man from his entry into college to his final achievement of a doctorate. Paralleling his outer education, his inner education about life, family, sexuality and spiritual values is revealed. By the time he achieves his doctorate, he has been told that he has a life-shortening heart disease. However, because of his two-fold education, he is fulfilled in what he has done and is not much distressed.
- fandango
Venue: Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, Thimmaiah Road, Vasanth Nagar, Bangalore – 52.
For Further Information, Please Contact:
Tel:25493705/ 9886213516
Email: bangalorefilmsociety@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment