Krzysztof Zanussi studied physics and philosophy before studying directing at the Łódz Film School. His graduation film, Śmierć Prowincjała / The Death of a Provincial (1965) took awards at the Venice, Mannheim and Moscow Film Festivals. The Structure of Crystal was Zanussi’s first feature film, released in 1969. The 1970s were arguably the important period for Zanussi's art, the period during which he made Życie Rodzinne / Family Life, Za ścianą / Behind the Wall, Iluminacja / Illumination, the bracing Barwy ochronne / Camouflage and Spirala / Spiral. Zanussi wrote most of the scripts for his films, and created a specific character, one that became the quintessential hero of Zanussi's work: a man faced with a choice between values and the temptation of their rejection. The hallmark characteristic is his moral sensitivity expressed in the compromise between the sphere of dreams of individual freedom and a life practice restricting this freedom.
In its Cinema of the World section, the Goa festival screens one of Zanussi’s famous films, Illumination from 1972. The film is the story of a physics student searching for the meaning of life through study, reflection and contact with others. Despite his efforts, he does not experience the sought after "illumination", but events that happen along his path – the death of a friend, a short romance and an unexpected pregnancy - help him understand that he cannot control his life. Illumination uses the technique of open dialogue, with the actors involved in improvisation. The film won awards including Grand Prix, FIPRESCI Award, Ecumenical Jury's Award at the International Film Festival, Locarno 1973, and an award at the International Film Festival, Ravenna in 1973.
About his approach to art, Zanussi said, "You are only an artist when you know how to do something well in five different ways, and can choose the one that is best." Zanussi has received eight Golden Lions Awards from the Gdynia Film Festival, and awards at the Cannes and Berlin Film Festivals. His films are cherished in France and Russia, and he has received six awards at the Venice Film Festival.
Zanussi has a close association with the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, where he has conducted workshops for the students of FTII. The International Film Festival of India, Goa (IFFI), confers its Lifetime Achievement Award to "eminent international film personalities for outstanding contribution to the world cinema." The IFFI is one of the major film events on the Asian continent. Founded in 1952, it was held in Mumbai, then subsequently in Madras, Delhi and Calcutta. It has taken place in Goa since 2004 .
Sources: based on the article by Bartosz Staszczyszyn for culture.pl, culure.pl, International Film Festival of India, DNA India
Editor: Marta Jazowska