We invite you to a meeting with an absolute legend of Polish cinema. On Wednesday, March 18 at 6:00 PM, on the big screen of Wisła Cinema (Warsaw) we will show Andrzej Wajda’s masterpiece — “Ashes and Diamond”.
This is a film that has become a myth and the most important depiction of the fate of the “cursed soldiers” generation. The action takes place in the last days of World War II. A young Home Army officer, Maciek Chełmicki, receives an order to shoot a communist dignitary. In a world that is beginning to loudly celebrate peace, Maciek starts to dream of an ordinary life and love, yet soldierly loyalty and the tragedy of history refuse to be forgotten.
Zbigniew Cybulski’s role, reminiscent of James Dean’s technique, became an icon of Polish culture. Dark sunglasses, jeans and modern expression made Maciek Chełmicki a timeless hero. Wajda masterfully used metaphor — the iconic scene with burning vodka glasses and the finale at a garbage dump are images that have permanently entered the canon of world cinematography, paying tribute to Home Army soldiers cast by the then authorities onto the “dump of history”.
This screening opens a special year at our cinema. On the 100th anniversary of Andrzej Wajda’s birth we invite you to the “WAJDA: re-visions” retrospective. From March to December we will present 10 of the Master’s films to rediscover his narrative mastery, painterly sensitivity and unmatched energy that still provokes and inspires today.
