Screen adaptation of Witold Gombrowicz's philosophical-erotic novel of the same title.
It is 1943 and Poland has been occupied by the Germans for almost four years. Two frequenters of Warsaw cafes, Fryderyk (a demonic juggler and stage director) and Witold (a cynical writer), leave the capital city for the country estate of Witold's friend Hipolit. In the calm of the countryside they almost succeed in forgetting that there is a war going on, especially since their attentions are focused on 16-year-old Henia, daughter of the estate owner, and her peer Karol, the son of another of Hipolit's friends. Both Karol and Henia are beautiful and seem made for each other, but there seems to be no "attraction" between them. Witold finds this annoying and convinces Fryderyk to participate in a scheme aimed at bringing Henia and Karol together. Fryderyk accepts this "mission" and initiates a mysterious game which draws the two young people in as unaware agents. The two men's task is hardly an easy one given that Henia is already engaged to Wacław, who is considered a virtuous youth and the most available bachelor in the area. This represents a challenge, but merely encourages the two elderly artists. Fryderyk and Witold manipulate the two youngsters ever more adroitly, delighting in their reactions. Yet not everything can be planned, especially when there is a war going on and it too wishes to enter the "game."
"This is masterful filmmaking, from the universally excellent acting, to the subtle manner in which the story is handled and the ravishing cinematography" (Roderick Conway Morris, "International Herald Tribune").
"(...) The best of the art of acting from Poland.... All of the performers put in equally wonderful performances, and the directing is characterized not only by sensitivity, but also by a deep sense of the film's characters..." (Derek Malcolm, "The Guardian")
(...) "Kolski has made an excellent film which contains everything: the spirit of Gombrowicz, a mood of decadence, a struggle with Polish myths, sophisticated intellectual games, but also the simplest of conflicts - that between nature and culture, between youth and age" (Barbara Hollender, "Rzeczpospolita" daily).
- Pornografia / Pornography. Poland/France, 2003. Directed by Jan Jakub Kolski. Screenplay by Jan Jakub Kolski, Gerard Brach, Luc Bondy (based on a novel by Witold Gombrowicz). Director of photography: Krzysztof Ptak. Production design: Andrzej Przedworski. Music by: Zygmunt Konieczny. Editing: Witold Chominski. Produced by: Lew Rywin, Antoine de Clermont-Tonnerre. Featuring: Krzysztof Majchrzak (Fryderyk), Adam Ferency (Witold), Krzysztof Globisz (Hipolit S., Henia's Father), Grażyna Błęcka-Kolska (Maria, Hipolit's Wife, Henia's Mother), Grzegorz Damiecki (Waclaw Paszkowski, Henia's Fiancé), Jan Frycz (Siemian, Guerilla Unit Commander), Irena Laskowska (Amelia, Mother of Waclaw), Sandra Samos (Henia), Anna Baniowska (The Servant Veronica), Kazimierz Mazur (Karol), Jan Urbanski (Skuziak, Madame Amelia's Killer). Production: Heritage Films, MACT Production (France). Co-produced by: Telewizja Polska - Agencja Filmowa (Polish State Television - Film Agency), Canal+ Polska, Wytwornia Filmow Dokumentalnych i Fabularnych (Warszawa), Canal+, Euroimages - Fundusz Rady Europy, Centre National de la Cinematographie, 2003, color, duration: 117 min.
Awards:
- Polish Feature Films Festival, Gdynia, 2003 - Best Actor in a Starring Role for Krzysztof Majchrzak, Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Jan Frycz, Best Music, Best Sound and Audience Award
- Flanders International Film Festival, Gent, 2003 - Georges Delerue Best Music Award for Zygmunt Konieczny
In 2003 Pornography was an official selection at the Venice International Film Festival.
