Interestingly, the most prominent and bolder Polish films of recent years were made by young filmmakers. At present, young filmmakers are also shaping the short film scene in Poland. A 'Wave of Youth' has entering the market. 'From Poland With Shorts' is about presenting this phenomenon abroad.
Studio Munka is dedicated to making feature-length films by debut filmmakers. The studio also produces films as part of the Programme of Young Creators, including: '30 minutes', '1st document' and 'Young Animation' which allow young directors to create their first, full-length feature in professional conditions. In 2008 Studio Munka joined forces with the Polish Film Association and collaborates with the Polish Film Art Institute, the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and Polish Television.
The Studio takes its namesake from legendary documentary filmmaker, Andrzej Munk. Munk, a survivor of the Warsaw Uprising, studied architecture, law and cinematography before eventually graduating in Directing from the Łódź film school. His feature films are characterized by a highly and innovative approach to the topic of Polish heroism and national mythology - with the cool detachment typical of documentary filmmakers. At times his films would experiment with satire.
One of the most interesting representatives of the so-called "Polish film school", "Heroism" (Eroica) from 1957 is often considered Munk's masterpiece. It is based on two novels: "Scherzo alla pollacca" (which takes place during the Warsaw Uprising) and "Ostinato lugubre", (which is set in a prisoners-of-war camp).
Since 1965, the National Film School in Łódź awards the Andrzej Munk Film Award to the school's most promising student work.
For more information, see: www.studiomunka.pl, www.institutpolonais.fr, www.lesecransdeparis.fr.pl
Date: 7th-13th of December, 2011>
Venue: Cinéma Le Reflet Médicis
Organised by: KINOPOLSKA – Festival du film polonais, Studio Munka
Project cofinanced by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland.
Source: Adam Mickiewicz Institute