Jan Bogdol Movies
- 2001
Polish director Lech Majewski followed up his 1999 film Wojaczek with this dark fantasy comedy based on true events that took place in a Selisian town beginning in the 1930s and continuing through the 1950s. As World War II looms, the leader of an occultist commune in a small Polish mining town makes three prophecies before dying, the third prophecy predicting the demise of the human race. Over the years, the members of the commune watch with great anxiety as the the first two prophecies appear to come true. Believing that the Apocalypse is fast approaching, they select a virgin boy from the commune to sacrifice himself and save the world from certain destruction. Cinematographer Adam Sikora won the Silver Frog for Angelus at Poland's 2001 Camerimage film festival. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jan Siodlaczek, Pawel Steinert, (more)
Triumph of the Spirit is the true story of Salamo Arouch, a Greek-Jewish boxer imprisoned in Auschwitz during World War II. Arrested while attempting to help his family and friends escape the Nazi juggernaut, Arouch (Dafoe) is slated for extermination. He manages to survive--and to serve as an inspiration for his fellow inmates--by literally boxing for his life. He does this at the orders of his SS captors, who gamble on the outcome of Arouch's bouts. With each victory, Arouch is rewarded with extra bread rations, which he passes on to his family. Counterpointing the main story is the seemingly foredoomed romantic relationship between Arouch and female inmate Allegra (Wendy Gazelle). An uplifting coda rounds out this grim factual account. Triumph of the Spirit was filmed on location at Auschwitz--the first film of its kind to be lensed in that infamous locale. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Willem Dafoe, Edward James Olmos, (more)
- 1981
Any film that graphically handles abortion in the country that gave birth to Pope John Paul II is bound to stir up a certain amount of controversy. In this story, the oldest of two sisters fell in love with a fellow medical student, became pregnant, had an abortion, and broke off with the would-be father. Many years go by, and her younger sister falls in love with a doctor, and becomes pregnant. Soon it is discovered that both sisters had gotten pregnant by the same man - and circumstances arise which may make an abortion necessary for the younger sister as well. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Elzbieta Karkoszka, Jerzy Kryszak, (more)
The 116 minutes of the Polish Beads of One Rosary passes rather quickly and pleasantly, even though the cast is comprised of nonprofessionals. The central character, played by Augustyn Halotta, is an elderly pensioner who must give up his small house to "progress." Halotta is offered a tiny apartment in a new high-rise, which he automatically refuses. Potentially a tragic tale of human suffering, Beads of One Rosary turns out to be a light comedy, blessed with a steady stream of eccentric characters. One leaves the film wanting to see more of the work of the obscure director Kazimierz Kutz. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ewa Wisniewska
