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Reviews
Aniol w Krakowie (2002)
Philosophy in a family film
A very nice and touching film for the whole family, produced by the journalists of the famous "Tygodnik Powszechny" weekly, prestigious magazine of the Polish liberal catholics. Great debut both by the director Artur Wiecek and Ewa Kaim, actress of the National Old Theatre in Krakow, for whom this is the first major movie role.
The great thing about angel Giordano, who visits Krakow, is that everything is brand new for him, even the very basic things like the radio, a car or a cow. He helps us to realise, that the world around us is really impressing though we quickly get used to it and we don't pay attention any more.
The discussions between Giordano and his friend are very interesting. She is just a human so she has many questions and doubts but no answers. He is an angel so he is certain that the heaven really exists and God isn't just an idea of some other people.
And I very much admire the quote from "Highlander's Philosophy" by Jozef Tischner, that's being shown in the film: "Don't look for truth, look for friends". I thing this entire movie is a great example of how a philosopher can inspire film makers.
Zemsta (2002)
Show and nothing more
In the last couple of years there has been a trend in the Polish cinema to make film versions of the books that children are obliged to read at school. For the producers, it's a very safe investment of their money - you can be pretty sure, that at least one class from each school will go to the cinema.
It's a great pitty that even masters like Andrzej Wajda make movies of this type. For the readers from outside Poland, let me just notice that `Zemsta' is one of the most famous comedies in the history of the Polish theatre. In Wajda's version it's just a great show - and nothing more. You can see many Polish actors that are currently on top and they play quite well but the overall effect is in fact quite poor. You don't feel any real emotions, you can't sense that unique atmosphere of Aleksander Fredro's comedies.
There's one great thing in this film. For the first time in over 40 years you can see Academy Award winning director Roman Polanski (`Rosemary's Baby', `The Pianist') as an actor playing in his mother tongue. Although he's nearly 70 years old, his role is really funny and full of energy.
Nic smiesznego (1995)
Really nothing funny
There aren't many movies where the title fits the content so well. In my opinion there's really nothing funny there. Love and sex problems of Adas are described in a way similar to movies like "Road Trip" or "American Pie". I think I'm going to have nightmares after watching that scene with the pneumatic penis. Just disgusting !
Marek Koterski is considered a celebrity director in Poland. I saw three of his movies and I really can't understand why. It's just not my type of cinema.