"Actor: Franciszek Pieczka"

• Cinema of Conflict: Four Films by Krzystof Kieslowski Limited Edition | Blu Ray | (20/04/2020) from £54.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Few names are as synonymous with Polish cinema as that of Krzystof Kieślowski, the renowned auteur responsible for the Dekalog and Three Colours trilogy. Prior to the fall of the Berlin Wall and his subsequent creative and critical success in France, Kieślowski plied his trade within the confines of the Eastern Bloc, capturing the realities of everyday life under Soviet rule. This collection gathers his four earliest narrative feature films, encapsulating the years 19761984. In 1976's The Scar, a well-intentioned Party loyalist is charged with overseeing the construction of a new chemical plant in the face of fierce resistance and is forced to confront the conflict between his good intentions and local opposition. In 1979's Camera Buff, a family man and amateur filmmaker experiences a dramatic change in fortunes when his newfound hobby opens up new horizons but also results in deep marital and philosophical conflicts. Blind Chance, completed in 1981 and denied a release in its native Poland until 1987, presents three possible outcomes to a single, seemingly banal event a young medical student running to catch a train and, in the process, explores the relationship between chance and choice. Finally, in 1984's No End, a recently bereaved translator juggles the conflicting demands of her work, caring for her son and her continued visions of her late husband, all against the backdrop of a Poland under the grip of martial law. As socially conscious as Kieślowski's earlier documentary shorts, this quartet of films covers a tumultuous period in Polish and Eastern European history, shot with unflinching realism by a filmmaker of distinction. LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS: Limited Edition collection (2000 copies) High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentations of all four films Original lossless mono audio for all films Optional English subtitles for all films Brand new audio commentary on Camera Buff by critic Annette Insdorf Brand new audio commentary on Blind Chance by film historian Michael Brooke Ghost of a Chance, a brand new visual essay on No End by Adrian Martin and Cristina Alvarez Lopez Moral and Martial Anxieties, a brand new discussion with Michael Brooke, exploring the brief and remarkable Polish film renaissance of the turn of the 1980s Brand new introductions by scholar and critic Michał Oleszczyk to all films Michał Oleszczyk looks through archive materials for each film Archival interviews with filmmakers Agnieska Holland and Krzysztof Zanussi, cinematographers Slawomir Idziak and Jacek Petrycki, actress Grazyna Szapoloska, sound designer Michal Zarnecki, critic Annette Insdorf and Kieślowski collaborator Irena Strazakowska Three short films by Kieślowski: Talking Heads (1980), Concert of Requests (1995) and The Office (1995) Workshop Exercises, a 1987 short film by Marcel Lonzinski Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Corey Brickley Collector's booklet featuring new writing on the films by scholars and authors Ewa Mazierska, Marek Hatlof, Dina Iordanova and Joseph G. Kickasola, and original writing by Kieślowski

• Cinema of Conflict: Four Films by Krzysztof Kie?lowski | Blu Ray | (06/09/2021) from £44.89   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Few names are as synonymous with Polish cinema as that of Krzysztof Kieślowski, the renowned auteur responsible for the Dekalog and the Three Colours trilogy. Prior to the fall of the Berlin Wall and his subsequent creative and critical success in France, Kieślowski plied his trade within the confines of the Eastern Bloc, capturing the realities of everyday life under Soviet rule. This collection gathers his four earliest narrative feature films, encapsulating the years 19761984.In 1976's The Scar, a well-intentioned Party loyalist is charged with overseeing the construction of a new chemical plant in the face of fierce resistance and is forced to confront the conflict between his good intentions and local opposition. In 1979's Camera Buff, a family man and amateur filmmaker experiences a dramatic change in fortunes when his newfound hobby opens up new horizons but also results in deep marital and philosophical conflicts. Blind Chance, completed in 1981 and denied a release in its native Poland until 1987, presents three possible outcomes to a single, seemingly banal event a young medical student running to catch a train and, in the process, explores the relationship between chance and choice. Finally, in 1984's No End, a recently bereaved translator juggles the conflicting demands of her work, caring for her son and her continued visions of her late husband, all against the backdrop of a Poland under the grip of martial law.As socially conscious as Kieślowski's earlier documentary shorts, this quartet of films covers a tumultuous period in Polish and Eastern European history, shot with unflinching realism by a filmmaker of distinction.Special Features:High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentations of all four filmsOriginal lossless mono audio for all filmsOptional English subtitles for all filmsAudio commentary on Camera Buff by Annette Insdorf, author of Double Lives, Second Chances: The Cinema of Krzysztof KieślowskiAudio commentary on Blind Chance by film historian Michael BrookeGhost of a Chance, a visual essay on No End by Adrian Martin and Cristina Álvarez LópezMoral and Martial Anxieties, a discussion with Michael Brooke, exploring the brief and remarkable Polish film renaissance of the turn of the 1980sIntroductions by scholar and critic Michał Oleszczyk to all filmsMichał Oleszczyk looks through archive materials for each filmArchival interviews with filmmakers Agnieszka Holland and Krzysztof Zanussi, cinematographers Slawomir Idziak and Jacek Petrycki, actress Grażyna Szapołowska, sound designer Michal Zarnecki, critic Annette Insdorf and Kieślowski collaborator Irena StrzałkowskaThree short films by Kieślowski: The Office (1966), Concert of Requests (1967) and Talking Heads (1980)Workshop Exercises, a 1987 short film by Marcel Łoziński, Kieślowski's colleague at the Warsaw Documentary Film StudioReversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Corey Brickley

• The Scar | DVD | (27/10/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  'The Scar' is the assured debut theatrical feature by Krysztof Kieslowski the director of the 'Three Colours' trilogy and 'Dekalog'. In the impoverished Polish town of Olecko Stefan Bednarz is put in charge of the construction of a large chemical plant which is being built against the wishes of the local populace. Although it will improve the town's economic prospects and provide badly needed new jobs the factory will also mean the destruction of many homes and adversely affect

• Mother Joan Of The Angels | DVD | (08/08/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  In 17th Century Poland a group of nuns are possessed by the devil a situation allegedly caused by a clergyman who sexually enticed the women. Among the group who arrive to do an exorcism is a young and innocent priest - and he has a strange and unorthodox plan to free Satan's victims...