A retrospective of the films by Poland’s veteran director, Andrzej Wajda, is on at the Northwest Film Centre in Portland, Oregon, in the United States.
It gives a cross section of Wajda’s output, from A Generation (1955) to Katyn (2007), including such masterpieces as Ashes and Diomanods, Man of Marble, The Maids of Wilko, Everything for Sale and Danton.
The info of the event says that ‘Andrzej Wajda has developed a unique language of images that not only could outwit communist censors, but in the course of over half century has proved that a national cinema can speak to outsiders.
‘No one filmmaker has been consistently and deeply engaged in capturing the history of his country – politically, socially and psychologically.
‘For Poland, this master of cinema is a national treasure.’ It also quotes remarks by Steven Spielberg: ‘Film lovers honor him [Wajda] as one of the most acclaimed directors in the history of film, one whose artistry has repeatedly brought the world's attention to European cinema. By striving to show both the loftiest heights and the darkest depths of the European soul, he has inspired all of us to re-examine the strength of our common humanity. Wajda belongs to Poland, but his films are part of the cultural treasure of all mankind.’
The Wajda retrospective in Portland ends on 29 March. Earlier this month, Wajda turned eighty three. His latest feature – Sweet Rush – is to go on general release in April. (mk)