Halina Labonarska Movies
- 1984
This brief sojourn in a woman's boarding house is based on an 1893 novel by Boleslaw Prus and examines the differing personalities of four young and unusually independent women who would like to make something of themselves in a world run by men. The strait-laced Mrs. Latter (Barbara Horawianka) is in charge, and her nemesis is the brashly independent Claire Howard (Halina Labonarska) from Britain. One day, Joanna (Magda Wollejko) is suspected of an unseemly dalliance with Mrs. Latter's son Casimir, and in fact, Mrs. Latter is sure her son is about to become a reluctant father. Desperate, she has to find the money to send him abroad before things get out of hand. Maggie, Joanna's fellow tutor and long-suffering friend, tries to defend her from these dire accusations, but to no avail. Mrs. Latter has made up her mind, and starts out for the home of a wealthy acquaintance to wheedle a loan -- and therein lies a twist that truncates the action. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Halina Labonarska, Hanna Mikuc, (more)
- 1982
Ludwig (Helmut Griem) loves his wife Martha (Maja Komorowska) very much, something that is first apparent when they leave their home in Poland to venture into the unknown, capitalist "West." Maria has her own inner worries and fantasies that always lead to her taking most unusual action: dancing around a room while guests fidget uncomfortably, playing cowboys and Indians with the neighbor kids, turning the lawn into a series of potholes, or any number of other antics, including running off to become a nun. The long-suffering Ludwig does not falter in his devotion, though the reasons for Maria's unothodox behavior patterns are never quite clear. Perhaps Ludwig's sister Johanna (Eva Maria Meineke) is somehow involved, but even she does not survive to tell the tale. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maja Komorowska, Helmut Griem, (more)
- 1980
Talented Polish director Agnieszka Holland who would be better known in later years because of her films like Europa, Europa (1991) or some of her American works like Washington Square (1997), hits the mark early and again with this ostensible story about provincial actors in Poland. In reality, the comedy-drama can be read as a commentary on the contemporary Polish scene in politics and society. The story begins as a savvy director arrives in a small town to put on a stage play. His leading man is filled with insecurities and goes beyond the confines of his lead role to expand his part, restore his cut lines, and generally outdo himself while taking on some of everyone else's job, including the director's. No one wants to lose him because of his drawing power, and the director is caught in a bind. At the same time, the lead actor's wife is slowly losing her chances at success, being relegated to a much lesser position in the troupe. This fine comedy won the Fipresci award at the 1980 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Halina Labonarska, Tadeusz Huk, (more)
- 1979
This drama focuses on the morality of two female friends. When a woman who supervises production at a garment factory realizes that an award will be intentionally given to the wrong person, she objects vociferously. Standing up with her is her close friend, even though the friend is speaking out against an injustice perpetrated by her own lover. Ten years down the line, the former supervisor is now a mayor and is not exactly living up to the ethical standards that she set in the factory. Along comes her former friend, who bravely exposes her illegal behavior, redefining their friendship in the process. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Halina Labonarska, Anna Romantowska, (more)
- 1978
The French and English dragged their heels in responding to the calls of mutual-defense treaties with Poland, while the Poles bravely attempted to fend off a German invasion for several weeks during September, 1939. Eventually, though, the nearly defenseless country was completely overrun. This docudrama combines new and newsreel footage to re-create the events of that time as seen through the eyes of Warsaw's mayor Stefan Starzynski. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henryk Czyz
