Polish Cultural Council co-presents with the Pittsburgh Filmmakers,
five additional film:
Harris Theater, 809 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
“THE ILLUMINATION” (1973), Krzysztof Zanussi
4/30 @ 7:30 and 5/2 @ 5:30
Unanimous winner of all three main prizes at the 1973 Locarno International Film Festival, Zanussi’s landmark film is a dazzling kaleidoscope of ideas and images. Illumination explores the life of a self-absorbed young physicist trying to understand his place in the universe. He thinks science will provide the answers, but ultimately learns far more about himself through experiencing love, betrayal, loss, and facing his own mortality.
1975″Golden Hugo” 11th Chicago International Film Festival (1960)
”MOTHER JOAN OF THE ANGELS”(1961), Matka Joanna od Aniołów, Jerzy Kawalerowicz.
A film of enormous erotic and moral tension, Mother Joan is based on the real-life events that inspired numerous works including Aldous Huxley’s “The Devils of Loudon” and Ken Russell’s The Devils.
A young, virtuous exorcist is sent to a mysterious monastery inhabited by beautiful nuns who are said to be possessed by demons in this thrilling and philosophical portrait of human vice.
Winner of the Jury Prize at the Cannes International Film Festival in 1961.
5/7 @ 7:30 and 5/7 @ 5:30
”THE PROMISED LAND” (1974) Ziemia Obiecana, Andrzej Wajda.
Andrzej Wajda is one of Poland’s most celebrated filmmakers, but until now there has been little chance to see one of his most critically admired films, 1974’s The Promised Land (Ziemia Obiecana) is based on a novel by Wladyslaw Reymont. Wajda presents a fascinating portrait of the industrial city of Lodz during the birth of gritty 19th century capitalism.
Film was nominated for the Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film in 1975 and awarded “Golden Hugo” at 11th Chicago International Film Festival.
5/18 @ 7:00, 5/19 @ 7:00and 5/20 @7:00
”BLIND CHANCE” (1981) Przypadek, Krzysztof Kieslowski
The arbitrary nature of fate, one of Kieslowski’s favorite themes, drives the three separate stories of a man’s life that make up BLIND CHANCE.
Kieślowski explores the autonomy of human choices by presenting three alternative versions of the life of 20 year old Witek, whose whole future depends on whether he can catch a train.
5/21 @ 7:30 and 5/23 @ 5:30
”THE LAST DAY OF SUMMER “(1958), Ostatni dzień lata, Tadeusz Konwicki.
A man and a woman who cannot communicate meet on an empty beach in this subtle tale of a confrontation of two lonely people from which a true closeness cannot result. A surprise Golden Lion winner at the Venice Film Festival, as well as the Grand Prix of the EXPO in Brussels and the First Prize of MFF in London.
5/28 @ 7:30 and 5/30 @ 5:30
