Still from Anna Plutecka-Mesjasz's "Lose to Win", photo: www.film.interia.pl
Films based on the lives of athletes, documentaries presenting an insight into the forming of Polish society and a line-up of prominent musicians, the Polish cultural programme accompanying the 2012 Olympics is varied and captivating
Inspired by the life of the famous Polish volleyball player Agata Mróz, Anna Plutecka – Mesjasz's film Lose to Win is a story of the challenges of love, dreams and success. Achieving a fulfilling career and a happy marriage, Agata gets pregnant and soon finds out that the sickness she has suffered from for years forces her to make the biggest choice of her life: save herself or the baby.The film is about the courage to live and love and make choices (Screening: July 31st). The main character In Tomasz Blachnicki’s Boxer is based on one of the most popular Polish boxers, Przemysław Saleta. Dreaming of becoming a world champion, the finds out that his daughter is seriously ill. In order to save her, he must leave boxing forever (Screening: August 6th).
Defeating all odds to join the ranks of the world’s best, the Polish Himalayists in Wojciech Słota’s and Marek Kłosowicz' Art of Freedom conquer the Himalayas 8,000-meter peaks and set themselves apart. Art of Freedom sheds light on the brutal sport of climbing and is an attempt at understanding the unrelenting spirit of underfunded and underequipped climbers from a crisis-ridden country who overcome all obstacles to fulfill their dreams (Screening: August 3rd). The film is part of the Guide to the Poles series which captures the undaunted spirit of a nation under foreign rule. The series includes Beats of Freedom which illustrates the role of rock and punk music in the fight against communism and bringing hope to the younger generations (Screening: 04.08), Political Dress depicting home-made clothing as rebellion against the otherwise bland and uniform clothes available in stores (Screening: 10.08) and Toys - the history of a generation of children who develop an ability to create their own playthings from virtually nothing (Screening: 11.08).
The singer, poet, actor and science-fiction novelist considered one of Poland’s most controversial artists on the music scene Maciej Maleńczuk performs with the Psychodancing. Working together since 2007, their first album Psychodancing won the platinum record title (Concert: 04.08). Winner of numerous Polish and international awards, 2011 winner of the prestigious Junior Fellowship of the Royal College of Music in London, young pianist Marek Bracha performs two recitals (Recitals: 10&26.08). In his third concert he is accompanied by the Meccorre String Quartet,considered to be one of the most interesting string quartets of its generation. Winners of numerous important awards including most recently the second prize at the Wigmore Hall String Quartet Competition in London, the ensemble promotes chamber music in areas with limited access to culture, placing particular emphasis on concerts performed in hospitals for children and youths (Concert: 11.08).
A Polish accordion ensemble uniting world-class accordionists, Janusz Wojtarowicz, Paweł Baranek and Marcin Gałażyn, Motion Trio has won numerous prestigious awards, including the Grand Prix at the 4th Krzysztof Penderecki International Contemporary Chamber Music Competition (Concert: 27.08). Singer and song writer whose debut album won the diamond record title Monika Kuszyńska came back to the stage in 2011 after several years of rehabilitation after a car crash which bound her to a wheel-chair. Her come back song was Nowa rodzę się / I am born again and led her to record an album Ocalona / Saved in 2012.
The Polish cultural programme at the 30th Olmypics and Paraolympic Games is organised by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.
Official website of the Polish community events during the Olympics: polonialondyn2012.pl.
Programme:
- 31st July –film Lose to Win
- 3rd August – film Art of Freedom
- 4th August – film Beats of Freedom, Maciej Maleńczuk with Psychodancing in concert
- 6th August – film Boxer
- 10th August – film Political Dress, Marek Bracha recital
- 11th August – film Toys, concert of the Meccorre String Quartet, soloist Marek Bracha - grand piano concert
- 26th August - Marek Bracha recital
- 27th August - “Motion Trio” group concert
- 28th August - Monika Kuszyńska concert (singer)
Thumbnail: Still from Anna Plutecka – Mesjasz' Lose to Win, www.film.interia.pl
Sources: polonialondyn2012.pl, culture.pl, Interia Film
Editor: Marta Jazowska