25 years of free elections in poland. ways to freedom
DESCRIPTION
Social campaignTRANSCRIPT
WAYSto freedomMOVIES THAT LEAD to freedom
CONTENTSTHE PROJECT ............................................................................. 3THE ACTIVITIES ......................................................................... 4• FILM EVENTS ............................................................................ 5
• „HISTORY LESSON” ....................................................................... 6
• ARCHIVE „JUNE 4TH 1989” ................................................................ 7
• SOCIAL CAMPAIGN „25 YEARS OF FREE ELECTIONS IN POLAND – Ways to Freedom ................... 8
COLLABORATION ........................................................................... 9• TO WHOM DO WE ADDRESS THE OFFER? ................................................... 10-11
• WHAT DOES OUR OFFER INCLUDE? ..................................................... 12-13
• THE MOVIES ......................................................................... 14-20
ABOUT US ............................................................................... 21CONTACT ................................................................................. 22GRAPHIC DESIGN ......................................................................... 23
The title of the project “WAYS TO FREEDOM” is an allusion to Wojciech Marczewski’s
movie “Ucieczka z kina Wolność” (Escape from the ‘Liberty’ Cinema) (1990).
We intend to present the issue of influence of art upon the reality perceived
within the historical context of Poland of the late 1980s when the then political system
started to crumble. Movies begin to act as a pretext for questions concerning
freedom both within the artistic and the social sphere.
Apart from promoting the dialogue concerning the socially involved art the main
aim of the project is the promotion of Polish democratic traditions and civic
behaviour, as well as encouraging reflection and debate on the role of art
in shaping history. The main purpose which combines all the activities (film
showings, the “June 4th 1989”multimedia archive, the audiovisual “History Lessons”, “25 Years
of Free Elections in Poland – Ways to Freedom” social campaign) is the
intention to commemorate the anniversary of the first free parliamentary elections in Poland,
and, in a wider context, the key democratic changes which took place
in Poland 25 years ago.
THE PROJECT
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FILM EVENTS
„HISTORY LESSON”
ARCHIVE „JUNE 4TH 1989”
SOCIAL CAMPAIGN „25 YEARS OF FREE ELECTIONS IN POLAND – Ways to Freedom
THE ACTIVITIES
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The project “WAYS TO FREEDOM” includes the organisation of events such as film
showings, discussions, public lectures, and meetings with artists and leaders
of the democratic changes of 1989. The presented movies will be an emotional,
artistic expression of the fight of artists for freedom, an interpretation
of their understanding of freedom, and an attempt to explain the reality.
Feature films will be supplemented by documentaries, as well as unique
amateur recordings and a selection of Polish Newsreels on related topics.
The inauguration of the events will take place in each of the seven big
Polish cities: Gdańsk, Poznań, Wrocław, Kraków, Łódź, Warszawa,
and Katowice, in cooperation with local cultural institutions,
schools, and NGOs.
Further events - showings of movies, debates, meetings, lectures
– may be organized throughout Poland, both in big cities and
in smaller towns.
FILM EVENTS
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The creation of an extraordinary and interesting educational form which would present
in an unconventional manner the most recent Polish history is an important part of
the project “WAYS TO FREEDOM”. A set of educational materials for secondary schools
will be created concurrently with the artistic events taking place throughout Poland.
It will include additional audiovisual materials e.g. one hour long movie A History
Lesson. Taking Polish cinema as the point of departure for debates concerning freedom
and democracy we want to offer materials which should serve as an innovative form
of promoting knowledge about Polish cinematography and an exceptional form of historical
education.
The project “History Lesson” will be supervised by Professor
Wojciech Burszta, the head of the Chair of Cultural Anthropology
at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Warsaw,
former Professor at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań
(until 2003), visiting professor at Oxford University, Yale
University, University of Illinois, who received scholarships
from the Fulbright Foundation and the Kościuszko Foundation.
Professor Burszta is the author of over 200 scholarly public-
ations, the president of the Scholarly Committee of Przegląd
Kulturoznawczy and the president of the Cultural Sciences
Council of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences, he is
also the editor of the scholarly journal Sprawy narodowościowe.
Seria Nowa.
”HISTORY LESSON”
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The multimedia Archive “June 4th ‘89” will be created as a part
of the project “WAYS TO FREEDOM”. It will be a virtual space aimed
at documenting the memories of people who remember the change towards democra-
cy which took place in Poland 25 years ago. They may add there their pictures,
newspaper clippings, personal souvenirs, traces of common memory from the pe-
riod. The collected objects, texts, stories, and memories will be digitalised and
they will be available via the virtual archive on the basis of open access and
Creative Commons.
ARCHIVE ”JUNE 4th ‘89”
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SOCIAL CAMPAIGN ”25 YEARS OF FREE ELECTIONS IN POLAND – WAYS TO FREEDOM”
We intend to remind people about the historic events and present Poland
as the country where the political changes in Europe of the late 1980s started. We
want July 4th 2014 to be a day of joint celebrations of our
success as well as the point of departure for a debate concerning such
fundamental values as freedom, democracy, community, civic activity, and
the role of engagé art. The campaign has informative and educational
character. At the same its aim is to consolidate and integrate the community through
common experience perceived both within its historical (July 4th, 1989 – the first
free elections in Poland) and universal (the experience
of freedom) context.
The tools of the campaign have been prepared in such a way as to make them appro-
priate for the traditional media (press, radio, TV). However, we intend to use the
mechanisms of building and expanding social communication with the use of the tried
and tested Internet models which will allow engaging the recipients of the campaign
through joint creation of the message.
The campaign will be visible in the public space (via outdoor promotion).
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COLLABORATIONThe educational project “WAYS TO FREEDOM” as well as the social cam-
paign “25 Years of Free Elections in Poland – Ways to Freedom” will be
based on collaboration with representatives of local cultural institu-
tions, schools, libraries, cinemas, NGOs active in the field of cultural
and civic education. We offer a selection of feature films and documenta-
ries which may be used in the organisation of a film showing, education-
al projects, debate, meeting, or a part of a larger event.
TO WHOM DO WE ADDRESS THE OFFER?
WHAT DOES OUR OFFER INCLUDE?
THE MOVIES
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TO WHOM DO WE ADDRESS THE OFFER?
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The project “WAYS TO FREEDOM” is dedicated to local cinemas,
cultural and educational institutions,
institutes of Polish culture abroad, NGOs which seek extraor-
dinary educational-artistic forms and which would like to
touch upon current issues through
historical narration supported by Polish movies.
The project “WAYS TO FREEDOM” may be organised as
a film showing or become a part of a larger film,
theatrical, musical, or visual arts festival which would
bring together in search of inspiration communities which ap-
preciate high quality film art. “WAYS TO FREEDOM” means digi-
tal cinema of the highest quality
of sight and sound. It includes feature films and
documentaries which are parts of the history of Polish cine-
matography which, thanks to digital distribution, may be pre-
sented in any cinema theatre equipped with digital projector
both in Poland and abroad.
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“WAYS TO FREEDOM” may be a perfect point of departure for a
meeting, lecture, debate, and other events which would engage
the audience in issues such as freedom, democracy, community.
This is the use of the project “WAYS TO FREEDOM” to which we
would like to encourage institutions and organisations the aim
of which is the strengthening social activity, building civic
society through a return to the foundations of common identity.
Concurrently with the “History Lesson” created by experts, the
project becomes a trip in the past, a trip of an
undisputable educational value. Consequently, “WAYS TO FREEDOM”
is addressed also to schools, especially
to secondary school students.
The offer “WAYS TO FREEDOM” includes licences for public broadcasting
of the following feature films and documentaries:
Full Feature films:
• Człowiek z żelaza (Man of Iron), dir. Andrzej Wajda, 1981
• Matka Królów (The Mother of Kings), dir. Janusz Zaorski, 1982
• Ucieczka z kina Wolność (Escape from the ‘Liberty’ Cinema), dir. Wojciech Marczewski, 1990
• Mniejsze niebo (Smaller Sky), dir. Janusz Morgenstern, 1980
• Dreszcze (Shivers), dir. Wojciech Marczewski, 1981
• Przypadek (Blind Chance), dir. Krzysztof Kieślowski, 1981
• Przesłuchanie (Interrogation), dir. Ryszard Bugajski, 1982
Documentaries:
• Szczurołap (Rat-catcher), dir. Andrzej Czarnecki, 1986
• Usłyszcie mój krzyk (Hear My Scream), dir. Maciej Drygas, 1991
• Fan (Fan), dir. Wojciech Maciejewski, 1987
• Dokąd (Where to), dir. Paweł Kędzierski, 1990
• Z punktu widzenia nocnego portiera (From the Point of View of a Night Watchman),
dir. Krzysztof Kieślowski, 1977
• Moje zapiski z podziemia (My Notes from the Underground), dir. Jacek Petrycki, 2011
WHAT DOES OUR OFERR INCLUDE?
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Feature films will be supplemented by documentaries from the period, as well as unique amateur record-
ings and contemporary commentaries of artists and important personalities of social life. A selection
of Polish Newsreels will also be presented:
• How to Vote?
• Lech Wałęsa Voting with his Wife and Son
• The Day of Parliamentary Elections
• Celebrations of the Gdańsk Agreement
• The End of the Strike (Signing the Agreement)
• At the Court of Justice
• The Registration of the Solidarity Trade Union
• Wałęsa Family
• Inauguration. The First Day of the Round Table Talks
• Agreement of April 5th, 1989
• The Closing of the Round Table Talks
• A Different 1st of May
• Before the Elections
• The Elections of 1989 – the Candidates
• The Diet elects Tadeusz Mazowiecki
• Gdańsk 80-90
• That August 1980-1989
• The Beginnings of the 3rd Republic
• It Was in August
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Człowiek z żelaza (Man of Iron), (dir. Andrzej Wajda, 1981, SF Zebra)
The sequel to Man of Marble. The movie presents important historical events
and the nascent freedom of the society in the censored world of the Polish
People’s Republic. The movie is a testimony and a lesson of Polish history
– from the tragic events of December 1970, through the disaster of 1976,
to the formation of the Solidarity trade union. The movie was produced with
the use of authentic documentary materials submitted by workers of the Gdańsk
shipyard, documentary films Sierpień (September) by Ireneusz Engler, Robotnicy 80
(Workers 80.) by Andrzej Chodakowski and Andrzej Zajączkowski and of Polska
Kronika Filmowa, as well as German TV.
Szczurołap (Rat-catcher), (dir. Andrzej Czarnecki, 1986, WFO)
A documentary about a man who exterminates rats. The hero reveals the secrets
of his careful preparations to the fight against his intelligent opponent.
The movie is an ambiguous picture, reflecting in a symbolic manner on the
relations between citizen and authority.
THE MOVIES
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Matka Królów (The Mother of Kings), (dir. Janusz Zaorski, 1982, WFDiF)
The movie presents the life of Łucja Król, a poor widow from a Warsaw basement flat, and her
four sons. The plot includes events from the changing Polish history, starting from the
early 1930s to October 1956. The family becomes a metaphor of the society and its vari-
ous attitudes – the post-war lives of Łucja’s sons present four different biographies of the
generation dominated in turn by conformity, frustration, extreme ideology, or boundless cyni-
cism.
The winner of numerous awards, one of the greatest Polish movies. Extraordinary camera work
of Edward Kłosiński and Witold Adamek, suggestive music by Przemysław Gintrowski and great
cast with Magda Teresa Wójcik who gave the stereotype
of a typical Polish Mother a truly human face.
Usłyszcie mój krzyk (Hear My Scream), (dir. Maciej Drygas, 1991, WFO)
A short documentary about Ryszard Siwiec who burned himself to death in 1968
in presence of diplomatic representatives and the leaders of the communist
party as well as thousands of people. The movie shows the ultimate gesture
of protest against the intervention of the armies of the Warsaw Pact in Czechoslovakia and – in
a broader context – against authoritarian power. The film includes parts of the original re-
cording made by the hero two days before the events in the
Warsaw stadium.
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Ucieczka z kina Wolność (Escape from the ‘Liberty’ Cinema),
(dir. Wojciech Marczewski, 1990, SF TOR)
One of the most original movies of the transition period. A metaphorical tale
of the end of the oppressive system, alluding to Bulkhakov’s Master and Margarita and Woody
Allen’s The Purple Rose of Cairo. A symbolic farewell to the old system free of simplifica-
tions, a universal tale of a fallen man who tries to regain
his dignity and freedom.
Mniejsze niebo (Smaller Sky), (dir. Janusz Morgenstern, 1980, SF Zebra)
A personal adaptation of the novel by John Wain. A low-key story of a mature
rebellion, stressing the right of an individual to freedom and personal choice, even if the
latter may be incomprehensible to others. One of the most interesting, even if largely un-
derestimated movies of the early 1980s, a great performance
of Roman Wilhelmi.
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Dreszcze (Shivers), (dir. Wojciech Marczewski, 1981, SF TOR)
An autobiographic tale of false initiation and the seductive power of ideology.
The winner of the Silver Bear award at the Berlin Film Festival, one of the most important
and interesting movies about the Stalinist periods, “arrested” during
the Martial Law period.
Fan (Fan), dir. Wojciech Maciejewski, 1987, WFO)
The pivotal element of the movie is observation of members of the fanclub “Kora”. The mem-
bers, fans of the pop rock band Maanam meet during concerts, analyse the oeuvre of its sing-
er, and identify with her biography and views. Wiesław Ciasnowski, the head of local branch
of the Union of Socialist Polish Youth and the founding father of the club, carries on po-
litical indoctrination as a grotesque guru under the disguise of fun.
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Przypadek (Blind Chance), (dir. Krzysztof Kieślowski, 1981, SF TOR)
A movie about the universal belief in the inner autonomy of each human being.
A voice in political debate against simplified black and white divisions.
One of the movies “arrested” in the 1980s, a great performance of Bogusław Linda.
Dokąd (Where to), (dir. Paweł Kędzierski, 1990, WFDiF)
A compilation of newreels, a short history lesson – a cunning kaleidoscope
of events, slogans, historical figures. The movie is a masterpiece of image
and sound editing which brings together music, shouts, songs, applause with
excerpts from speeches of party officials.
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Przesłuchanie (Interrogation), (dir. Ryszard Bugajski, 1982, SF Zebra)
Interrogation, according to its director Ryszard Bugajski, is a shocking
“manifesto of a person who wants to be free regardless of the price”.
The movie, although completed mere days before the introduction of the martial
law was consequently banned and it was shown only in 1989. The movie, inspired
by the trials of the 1950s, became a harsh appraisal of the Stalinist period
as well as Stalinist terror.
Z punktu widzenia nocnego portiera (From the Point of View of a Night Watchman), (dir.
Krzysztof Kieślowski, 1977, WFDiF)
The only movie ever made by Kieślowski, the main hero of which is a bad character. The movie
presents everyday life and work of a night watchman whose only wish
is to bring perfect order to the world. Kieślowski recorded the monologue of the night watch-
man on tape in order to seek in his speech inspiration to the setting
of scenes of the movie.
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Moje zapiski z podziemia (My Notes from the Underground), (dir. Jacek Petrycki, 2011, WFDiF)
A documentary in which the director in a simple way returns to the unofficial materials from
the 1980s presenting the active members of the Solidarity trade union in hiding from the au-
thorities during the martial law. The director combined interviews with the heroes, speaking
about their lives in hiding, waiting for better days in fear
of their safety with the documented acts of sabotage – distribution of leaflets
and rehearsals for illegal theatrical shows. The movie includes interviews with
the most distinguished members of the opposition - Jacek Kuroń, Zbigniew Bujak,
and Jan Lityński.
The organisers of the educational project “Ways to Freedom” are Fundacja Kino Polska and Cy-
frowe Repozytorium Filmowe.
The mission of the Foundation Kino Polska is to promote active participation
in cultural, democratic, and civic awareness through the support and propagation of devel-
opment of culture and cinematographic art. Through social, educational, and artistic proj-
ects we want to participate in the creation of social capital
in big Polish cities and small towns, as well as abroad.
Cyfrowe Repozytorium Filmowe (Digital Film Repository) was created in response
to the needs of the Polish market in the field of professional organization dealing in digi-
tal movie remastering as well as management, distribution and archives
of digital copies.
The co-organisers of the project WAYS TO FREEDOM are also: Studio Filmowe Tor,
Studio Filmowe Zebra, Wytwórnia Filmów Dokumentalnych i Fabularnych,
Wytwórnia Filmów Oświatowych, Kroniki Filmowe, and Telewizja Kino Polska.
Professor Wojciech Burszta will supervise both the campaign and
the project.
ABOUT US
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CONTACTwww.kinowolnosc.pl
Sale and distribution
Agnieszka Bezubik
tel. (+48) 512-911-900
Fundacja Kino Polska
ul. Puławska 61
02-595 Warszawa
tel. (+48) 22 356 74 31
www.fundacjakinopolska.pl
Cyfrowe Repozytorium Filmowe Sp.z.o.o.
ul. Puławska 61
02-595 Warszawa
tel. (+48) 512-911-900
www.repozytoriumfilmowe.pl
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GRAPHIC DESIGN
Design:Marek Sayan Skwarskiwww.maskva.pl