Feature film by Kazimierz Kutz, from 1979. "The move from old cottages, inhabited by traditional multigenerational miner families, to concrete tower blocks takes on symbolic meaning - as the houses are demolished, the traditional, patriarchal worker family disintegrates as well, and with it also a certain culture"
A miners' housing estate in Silesia. The Habryka family lives in one of the cottages. Their lives have followed the same rhythm for years, peacefully and without any shake-ups. Old man Habryka breeds rabbits and tends to his garden. But the local authorities' new plan says the estate will be demolished to make way for tower blocks. Some residents have already moved to their new flats, others are packing. Saying goodbye to his neighbours, Habryka insists he will not leave his home. His wife and younger son are on his side. His daughter-in-law, though, moves away to a block of flats when her husband is away. The older son tries to persuade his father to move, quoting the argument of the "social harmfulness" of his conduct. The mine director also tries to talk sense into Habryka. All to no avail: the old miner is adamant. He tells the demolition crew that he has put explosives under the foundations...
"When I read the screenplay for 'The Beads of One Rosary' I realized that Habryka's life was my life in a way" - said Augustyn Hallotta who inthe film played Habryka. "He's a miner and I'm a miner, he's retired and I'm retired. We have the same dilemmas, and I'm almost in the same situation as Habryka: my house has already been valued and is earmarked for demolition. But, he could defend himself, and I can't - because how would I do it? I've grown fond of my character. He's a man who can tell good from evil. Everything inside him broke when they came to move him from his cottage to a concrete drawer. Rebellion starts to grow in him, and memories of days gone by, when he was young and vigorous, come alive. He starts fighting again". (From an interview with Augustyn Halotta, who plays Habryka)
"The move from old cottages, inhabited by traditional multigenerational miner families, to concrete tower blocks takes on symbolic meaning in 'The Beads of One Rosary'. As the houses are demolished, the traditional, patriarchal worker family disintegrates as well, and with it also a certain culture". (Małgorzata Hendrykowska, "Kronika kinematografii polskiej 1895-1997" / "A Chronicle of Polish Cinema 1895-1997", Poznań 1999)
- Paciorki jednego różańca / The beads of one Rosary. screenplay and directed by Kazimierz Kutz, director of photography: Wiesław Zdort, music by Wojciech Kilar, production design by Andrzej Płocki, costume design by Barbara Ptak, film editing by Józef Bartczak. Featuring: Augustyn Halotta (Habryka), Marta Straszna (Habrykowa), Ewa Wiśniewska (Zosia - Antek's wife), Franciszek Pieczka (Jerzy), Jan Bógdoł (Antek), Stanisław Zaczyk (Mine Manager), Jerzy Rzepka (Leszek), Ryszard Jasny (Pielorz), Róża Richer (Pielorzowa), Władysław Głuch (Kosmala), Antoni Wolny (Pawelczyk). Produced by Zespół Filmowy KADR, WFF Łódź 1979. Color, 3035 m, 98 min.
Awards:
- 1980 - Main Award at the Polish Feature Film Festival in Gdańsk; Special Prize at the Karlovy Vary IFF; Silver Grape - acting awards for Marta Straszna and Augustyn Halotta at the Lubuskie Film Summer in Łagów; Samovar - Film Enthusiasts' Award (Film Discussion Club in Świebodzin);
- 1981 - Silver Medal at the Figueira da Foz IFF;
- 1982 - 2nd place in the audience poll at the Sao Paulo IFF.