Poland is highly rich in its performing arts and so in cinema. Its theatrical performances have captured people’s attention from all over the country, not just those from its own country. Poland’s history with the cinema business is as strong and profitable because of the yearly Film Festival in Krakow, specializing in documentary and short films and animated movies and is one of Europe’s steadiest contests in these mediums. But how did Poland get to this point? This article will delve into it.
How did cinema in Poland emerge?
The history of Poland may be traced back to 1894 when Kazimierz Prószyski invented the pleograph. It was a type of cinematic device developed just one year before the invention of the Lumiére brothers’ cinematograph. However, Antoni Fertner’s notable debut feature film, directed and starred in 1908, was released. This film, titled “Prussian Culture,” ran 8 minutes and shared the history of battling with Poles in Poland under Prussian authority.
Development of Polish cinema
When Poland achieved its freedom from Austrian, Prussian, and Russian domination, cinema began to grow. The films that were made focused primarily on past Polish events. A film like “Miracle at the Vistula,” produced in 1921, depicted the pivotal Polish war of 1920.
Poland’s movie career had only just begun when World War II broke out. During World War II, Nazi Germany conquered Poland, and the Polish movie business came to an end for a while. During this time, some civilians recorded military events and captured photographs eventually used in movies produced after the war.
Start of National Film School
In addition, the National Film School in Łódź was established in 1948. This event benefited Polish cinematography in developing, exploring, and displaying their skills in front of the world. Polish cinematography was flourishing following the establishment of the film school. Many film directors rose to prominence, including Andrzej Wajda, and Wojciech Jerzy Has.
Establishment of cartoons
Poland did not lag in terms of demonstrating its animation skills. In 1947, Cartoons Studio in Bielsko-Biała was established, giving rise to cartoon production. Cartoons like “Reksio” and “Bolek and Lolek” were famous among kids at the time and continue to be so in Poland and other countries.
Production of prominent films
During the 1960s, Poland created “Knights of the Teutonic Order,” one of the most famous Polish films depicting the tale of the Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic struggle and the ultimate Fight of Grunwald 1410. On the other hand, the 1980s were also recognized as the age of ‘popular cinema,’ with films like “Vabank” and “Kiler.” Jerzy Machulski was a well-known film director at the time. Film representations of popular Polish texts such as “Quo Vadis,” “Pan Tadeusz,” “With Fire and Sword” by Henryk Sienkiewicz, and “The Revenge” by Aleksander Fredro were filmed in the twentieth century.
The state of Polish cinema in the 21st century
Polish cinema thrived in the twenty-first century, and the Polish Film Institute was founded in 2005 to assist Polish movie productions. Films like “Tricks,” “Katy,” “Rose,” and “Ida” became famous not just in Poland but all around the world.
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