Discoveries from Poland World Cinema

A video about the empowering qualities of books.

The futility of life, explained by the voice of an allmighty, but rather cynical, being. Thoughts on existence and the individuals role in this mad world of ours. In the end, love conquers all...as it does sometimes. Features a tragic and romantic encounter with a snowman.

“In ‘Nostalgia for Existing Without Delay’ I am combining a couple of themes: my fascination about the role of transgression in societies and what it means for individuals, and also the theme of how human beings exist beyond the realm of rationality”. It all sounds very serious, but the director assures us there’s plenty of humour, absurdity and sensuality in this exploration, too – a bit like life itself

This brief and creative documentary is probably closest to, in the Polish film tradition, the style of Wojciech Wiszniewski. Performances by a human-butterfly became fodder here to express the dialectic of our collective and individual history. After the thesis and antithesis there must come the synthesis. Will it be the same in life as in the film?

In a small mining town, 33-year-old human rights activist Yana Polyakova committed suicide. The local authorities, through the local power structures and the KGB, systematically persecuted the woman. Provocations, bullying, psychological pressure, and finally, torture and beatings were used. The woman was convicted for slandering a policeman who severely beat her, with the payment of huge monetary compensation in his favor. Unable to bear the injustice and cynicism, Yana Polyakova took her own life.

A short story about being late and fear of passing the time.

Experimental video consisting of the initial sentences of the newsletter sent by the Ordo Iuris Institute for Legal Culture. Selection from the years 2022 and 2021. Due to several years of subscription to this news channel the author is able to take a look at the daily life in Poland from the perspective of the Institute that describes itself in the following way: The Ordo Iuris Institute is an independent legal think-tank that, in the years of its activity, has built up an international renown of one of the key centers of defending legal culture based in the identity of European civilization, raised on the pillars of Greek philosophy, Roman law and Christian ethics.

A captivating, short documentary based on never used material filmed in 2009 at the Central Railway Station in Warsaw, capturing the essence of transition and the search for identity amidst a changing world. As the outdated station prepares for modernization in compliance with European Union guidelines, we are introduced to our main character, a 17-year-old gay man struggling with personal issues and a reluctance to return home. The film artfully juxtaposes the stillness of travelers waiting for their trains against the protagonist's emotional turmoil. He expresses his fear of the rumored 2012 apocalypse and his desire to learn how to live like "normal" people in the limited time he believes he has left. Edited and released in 2023, "Central" is a poignant reminder of the continuous evolution of both society and the individual. With the end of the world having never come to pass, the documentary stands as a testament to the power of hope, adaptation, and personal growth.

A simple crossword puzzle of empty squares is immersing an old man to the point of reliving his own life all over again. Will it help him to make sense of it all?

Virtual moving spaces, emphasized by sound, refer to the biblical passage of the people of Israel through the Red Sea. This is the language with which Prof. Krzysztof Kiwerski has been delighting and surprising viewers for years, creating unreal worlds based on the elements we know: earth, water, fire, and wind. Spectacular moving compositions assault the senses with color, light, form, and sound, expressively referring to the Old Testament story known to all.

Documentary on Kashubians - an ethnic group native to the historical region of Pomerania.

A young tourist has an accident during a holiday hike in the Tatra Mountains. The romance he begins with the highlander woman who takes care of him leads to tragedy.

Considered lost.

Two hustlers pretending to be cavalrymen try to seduce a beautiful girl who works at the mayor's house.

A young, innocent heir Alfred Wolski is jailed for an alleged embezzlement that also disinherits him, prompting detective Denn to doubt the charges and pursue his rehabilitation.

The story of a kulak peasant who hides grain, unwilling to give it to the cooperative. Thanks to the ingenuity of a farmhand, the truth comes to light and the grain goes to those in need.

Aspects of water management in the Netherlands.

A drug dealer is dissatisfied with his life.

A loose essay on polish city Poznań, popculture and semiotics in architecture; topics which all clash into one another once the concept of shop gallery Malta is brought up

Few things bring that much happiness as an empty compartment on an night train. That feeling of being all alone with you thoughts, soaked in the transient neon lights slicing up the darkness. A rhythmic clatter of the train helps you to enter that special kind of trance. Time melts away. The darkness is devouring the compartment. Let's hope noone will join you.

A film dealing with the controversial events that took place during a concert by the band Lady Pank in Wrocław in 1986, in which the band's leader, Jan Borysewicz, became the "hero."

"Der Atem" is a story based on the fragments of Thomas Bernhard's novel with the same title. It combines literary stories with the director's personal experiences. The film depicts a situation after an operation, a young person coming into a room where patients wait for their death. The film describes this person's experiences in this short time, both external observations and inner stimuli. The climax occurs when a second doll is introduced. We learn more about the rules of this reality.

A short story about eating disorders. When the main character gets smaller, her alter ego floating in the cup grows bigger.

As a result of a mysterious climatic anomaly, three young people are trapped in their apartment.

An impression on body dysmorphia, self-esteem and madness.

A costumed, surreal journey of mumblecore to the rhythm of jazz, noise and techno....

Imad, who comes from Syria, has been living in Warsaw for many years. In order to show his children their second homeland, he organizes an assistance expedition to the country of his ancestors. In an ambulance, which is to be donated to the local health service, they set off to war-torn Syria.

A foreign student in Poland, Peter, starts being worried about safety in his daily surrounding. He decides taking part in a student movement. Meanwhile, a question of the common future has arisen between him and his girlfriend.

Animation by Nelli Yaskula

Short tribute to Valie Export.

Behold! A new block is born. At its edge, on top, sits a youth - not to jump off but to experience the relentless, temporary bombardment of beauty from all directions. (Pronounced 'Nirvitz') Music used: Pepsipurgatory (ME) - 'Rymkom' The Gerogerigegege – 'ゲロゲリゲゲゲ (The Gerogerigegege)'

A great dose of humor during a celebration of one of the most popular groups. Roman Zurek, Radoslaw Bielecki and Michal Gawlinski have been entertaining audiences with jokes on a variety of topics for years. The concert "Neo-Nówka. Twentieth Anniversary" was full of improvisation and novelty, but there was no shortage of legendary figures. The Paciaciaks and Wandzia appeared on stage, and the artists also presented new versions of the famous skits "Christmas Eve" and "Heaven."