2002, 107 min., a comedy
Direction: Jacek Bromski
Screenplay: Tomasz Kępski, based on the novel „Career of Nikodem Dyzma” by T. D. Mostowicz
Cinematography: Arek Tomiak
Music: Kuba Sienkiewicz
Scenography: Bogdan Soelle
Cast: Cezary Pazura, Anna Przybylska, Ewa Kasprzyk, Andrzej Grabowski,
Krzysztof Globisz, Olgierd Łukaszewicz, Lew Rywin
Nikodem Dyzma is an undertaker, or actually, a master of funeral ceremonies. Anyway, he does not expect much of life. He might like to do some business and earn a few hundred zloty to buy a refrigerator to cool bottles of alcohol, because he hates warm booze. By coincidence he attends a cocktail party for diplomats. Tables with loads of food and cold booze… When a careless guest spills expensive alcohol on his clothes, Nikos, a bit tipsy now, showers him with torrents of verbal abuse. This incident, seemingly of no importance, turns out to be a turning point in his career as master of funeral ceremonies. The news that a mysterious stranger offended the hated Deputy Prime Minister Terkowski galvanizes the political elite assembled at the banquet. Who is Nikodem Dyzma? Is he a Doctor of Economics, an Eminence grise ruling the establishment, or a talented businessman? A rumor that Nikos can take care of anything spreads in a flash. Soon he will be an idol of the masses; it is only Dyzma, who speaks the language of the common people, who can appease the agitated farmers and be “with the people.” With a slogan proclaiming that “only Polish products are good,” Dyzma at once becomes one of the most popular politicians in the country. In the face of economic crisis, the public favorite appears to be highly coveted by the government, which is both corrupt and helpless.
B. 1946
Film director, screenwriter, film producer. Studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw (1965-1970), at the Polish Language Studies Department of the University of Warsaw (1972-1974), and at the Film Directing Department of the National Film, Television, and Theater Academy in Lodz (1974 -1978). Co-founder and literary director of the Zebra Film Studio. Chairman of the Association of Polish Film Makers. Since 2002 Vice President of the International Association of Film Authors. The author of numerous popular comedies, dramas, and action films. Recipient of many awards at both national and international film festivals: for “As Snug as a Bug in a Rug” a “golden Claquer” – the Audience Award, prize for best director, Prize of the President of Gdynia for the Best Comedy at the Polish Feature Film Festival in Gdynia; for “It’s Me, the Thief” Grand Prix, the prize of the Catholic Jury, the Prize for the Best Script at the IFF Mar Del Plata 2001.
Filmography:
1980 Alice
1983 Funeral Ceremony (TV)
1986 Kill Me, Cop
1988 The Art of Loving
1990 Polish Cuisine
1992 1968: A Happy New Year
1996 Children and Fish
1998 As Snug as a Bug in a Rug
2000 It’s Me, the Thief
„Kariera Nikosia Dyzmy” due to courtesy of MGE and Vision Films