Festival Events and Impressions
Press coverage
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/movies/93689_polish01.shtml
Nov 1, 2002: Opening night
Crowds were gathering even before the photo exhibition was scheduled to open.
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The 11th Annual Seattle Polish Film Festival opened to a full house with much enthusiasm and energy, proving, once again, that the festival will be a great success. The evening began at 6:00pm with “Faces of Polish Cinema,” a brilliant photo exhibition of Poland’s premiere cinema stars brought to us by Ewa and Krzysztof Poraj-Kuczewski. The exhibition is an evocative mixture of stunning visual intrigue blended with an artist’s view of Polish stars’ biographies.
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The Festival was opened by Mr. Andy Okinczyc, the President of the Seattle-Gdynia Sister City Association who thanked volunteers and sponsors who made the Festival possible. Then Mr. Ryszard Kott introduced the main movie of the night, “Revenge” / Zemsta by Andrzej Wajda with comments about the director as well as about Aleksander Fredro and his play on which the movie was based.
“Revenge”/Zemsta, the first feature film of the evening was transformed into film-form by its esteemed director Andrzej Wajda (winner of a special Oscar for Lifetime Achievement). This lively period-piece comedy was absolutely wonderful; the sell-out crowd was thoroughly entertained with the witty banter, gorgeous costumes, and the fabulous performances of the star-studded cast, including Roman Polanski as the hapless Papkin. This film was just released a mere month ago in Poland; it is an absolute must-see movie.
Screening of “Revenge” was preceded by a short “Cathedral”/Katedra, a striking seven-minute animated film by Tomasz Baginski; this film was the winner of the 2002 Best Animated Short – Siggraph 2002 and is being considered for nomination by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the Short Films – Animation category.
The evening was rounded-out with the modern situational comedy “E = MC2,” directed by Olaf Lubaszenko and starring the very popular Cezary Pazura (of “Killer”/Kiler and “Dogs”/Psy fame). This contemporary comedy was extremely entertaining, as one would expect from a Lubaszenko/Pazura endeavor.
L.G.
Nov 3, 8 pm: Mr. Majewski and screening of "Angelus"
One of many advantages of any film festival over a regular movie screening is the opportunity to meet the movie director, actor, or screenwriter of the presented picture. You can actually "touch the genius".
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Director Lech Majewski was the first guest of the 11th PFF in Seattle. He is a genuine renaissance man - a painter, poet, writer, screenwriter, composer and, of course, a film director. Introducing his newest picture "Angelus", he left the audience simply saying "Have fun with the movie!" And we really did have fun with "Angelus"! Beautiful pictures of Silesia looked like colorful paintings of a folk artist. The juicy Silesian language brought many bursts of laughter from the audience, especially from those who could understand Polish and didn't use the subtitles. Finally, the deep desire of humankind to be closer to the universe, which is the metaphysical side of the story, simply touched the audience's hearts.
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After the movie, Lech Majewski spent time talking with the audience, answering questions and even telling some anecdotes about "Angelus" and "Wojaczek", another remarkable movie he made. He proved to be not only a great director and artist but also a charming and very intelligent person. We all are certainly grateful for this unique experience, awaiting anxiously the next film (or another artistic project) from Lech Majewski.
H.G.
Nov 10, 6 pm: PFF Sponsors Reception with Mr. Wiecek and Mr. Beres attending
At the SPFF reception sponsors of the Festival had a chance to meet with each other as well as with all the volunteers who made 11th Polish Film Festival possible. It was very nice to have a chance to talk to people who were in one way or another involved in the Festival. Tasty food and wine were served. Everybody had a chance to talk with invited guests – Mr. Artur Wiecek and Witold Beres. Their movie An Angel in Krakow was the last film of this year Festival and was presented right after the reception. For many people this reception was also a chance to express their opinion about the Festival and exchange their opinions about presented movies. For many who attended this reception it was a very nice prelude to watching what occurred to be the most optimistic movie of the 11th Polish Film Festival.
A. Ch.
Nov 10, 8 pm: Mr. Wiecek and Mr. Beres and screening of "An Angel in Cracow"
An Angel in Krakow was the last movie presented during the 11th Polish Film Festival. It was followed by the questions and answer session. This movie was very different than all the other movies of the Festival. It carries very optimistic message of hope and belief in people, friendship, and love.
Mr. Artur Wiecek (director) and Witold Beres (producer) answered many very interesting questions about An Angel in Krakow and some questions that referred to A History of Philosophy in Highlanders’ Style, a movie based on the writings of Rev. J. Tischner. Both of them very interestingly talked about the movie and movie making process. Right after the “official discussion with an audience” they were available for pictures, autographs and all other individual requests. Mr. Beres and Mr. Wiecek showed that they really care about people and especially about audience of their movie.
A. Ch.
Festival impressions
Please send your festival impressions to SeattlePolishFilmFestivalImpressions@yahoogroups.com.
Here are some of the comments from our festival survey:"We enjoy the series very much""I really like this festival-great movies!""Excellent choice of films. Please bring Polanski Piano Plays next!""I plan to come back next year""Looking forward to the 12th Seattle Polish Film Festival!""I love the screen saver between movies-great addition""Beautiful!""I hope the festival will be in Seattle every year. I enjoy it so much""Great website!"(polishfilms.org)"Thank you for the PFF-good work""Great event.Thanks!"
"Funny!"(E=MC2)
C. O.
