Polish cinema has a rich tradition of films for children and teenagers. The strength of this trend has never come from building spectacular plots supported by special effects, but from confronting what a child imagines the world to be with the reality, opening up to genuine children's problems, at the same time giving grownups suggestions on how to reach out to children, how to respect their dignity and their right to their own views. These qualities are also found in the films of Andrzej Maleszka, who continues the old tradition with some success (an Emmy award and numerous awards at festivals).
Magiczne drzewo / The Magic Tree was the title of a TV series on which Maleszka worked in 2003-06. Seven episodes of over 20 minutes each were made, and not only won major awards at Polish and international festivals but were also broadcast by TV stations almost all over the world, gaining many millions of fans. The story about objects made from the wood of a magic tree, which end up in the hands of children who discover their magical powers, has an unusual charm. It involves a dash of poetry, but first and foremost a great deal of truth about children's dreams - their wish to change the world, their striving after harmony and knowledge. There's also a certain element of didacticism, but served up in an almost natural way, stemming from the events unfolding on screen. What's most interesting is that the stories from the The Magic Tree cycle remain attractive despite the modest technology involved (compared to what Hollywood's special effects wizards can do), which actually is an added advantage.
The cinema version of The Magic Tree is not a compilation of the TV episodes. Neither is it a remake of the TV series, nor a sequel. It is a supplement, an eighth story expanded to full-length feature format. The big screen has its own special demands: you need a more intricate plot, and also more expensive special effects because any flaws are hard to conceal in such a large format. Luckily this was not an obstacle for the film's makers, though - as Andrzej Maleszka told Malwina Wapińska in an interview for "Dziennik" daily (22 July 2009):
"My films are valued around the world, they have won major awards, and have been a genuine success with international audiences. I earn producers a profit. I receive proposals for films from large, foreign studios. Meanwhile, I have been fighting for years to enable these films to be made in Poland, to use their success to build a film studio in Poland, a kind of Polish Pixar which would produce my films and other people's, for an international children's audience. To no avail."
The focal character of the film is a magic chair which escapes during shipment and chooses an owner for itself: a family of musicians with three children who accidentally discover the chair's power. But when a stern aunt sits on the chair, tragedy ensues: the parents are meant to become smarter, but according to the aunt's wishes - to stop bothering about the children and start making money. This turns them into soulless robots - they decide to join the orchestra on a luxury liner and set off on a 12-month voyage around the world, leaving their offspring in the heartless relative's care. Whether and how the children regain their parents - the answer determines the plot's development.
The Magic Tree is remarkable for its makers' attitude towards the child characters. They are certainly not puppets helping bring the plot to its conclusion: the action moves forward thanks to their invention, which in turn is fuelled by their realization of all kinds of limitations. Successive adventures teach them responsibility for their words and deeds, help them confront situations suggested by their imagination with reality, to finally bring down the barriers between children and grownups - turned into a little girl, the aunt will be happy to relinquish her high position in order to remain a child with her mind filled with dreams.
- Magiczne drzewo / The Magic Tree, Poland 2009. Screenplay and director: Andrzej Maleszka, cinematography: Mikołaj Łebkowski, music: Krzesimir Dębski, set design: Ewa Pluta, special effects: Mariusz Rokicki, costumes: Ewa Krauze, editing: Bartosz Karczyński, sound: Mariusz Bielecki. Cast: Agnieszka Grochowska (mother), Andrzej Chyra (father), Hanna Śleszyńska (aunt), Maja Tomawska (Tosia), Adam Szczegóła (Kuki), Filip Fabiś (Filip), Joanna Ziętarska (little aunt), Dominika Kluźniak (Marcelina), Maciej Wierzbicki (Max). Production: Studio Lunapark - TVP S.A. Agencja Filmowa. Co-financed by: Polish Film Institute. Distribution: Forum Film. Length 90 min. Released on 18 September 2009.
Author: Konrad J. Zarębski, August 2009