Sat, 13.04.2024
16:00–17:30
Film projection
Muzeum Warszawy
free admission
Interwar Warsaw: A Set of Archival Shorts | Timeless Film Festival Warsaw
As part of the Timeless Film Festival Warsaw, in the Framing the City section, we will show a selection of films devoted to Warsaw from the 1930s.
Polish interwar cinema is not limited to popular feature films. Our filmmakers also made many shorts, including documentaries, most of which sadly remain unknown to the larger public. At the Timeless Film Festival Warsaw, we are showing a selection of films dedicated to the Polish capital which were made in the 1930s. There are reportages which were shot during state ceremonies such as the changing of the guard, celebrations of the 20th anniversary of regaining independence, as well as impressions that show the modern city in a poetic way, along with its old alleys, its history and everyday life.
All these films were digitalized by the National Film Archive – Audiovisual Institute (FINA), and some of them were digitally restored as part of the operational program Digital Poland.
The screening will be announced by Michał Pieńkowski, who has been cooperating with the National Film Archive – Audiovisual Institute since 2007, where he works as a filmographer and takes care of the pre-war film collection.
Free admission. Entrance tickets for all screenings on a given day will be available one hour before the start of the first screening of that day. A maximum of two entrance tickets per screening can be collected.
The screening will be in Polish with English subtitles.
Accessibility: people with mobility disabilities
From Wanderings in Warsaw
Antoni Nowosielski, Stanisław Rodowicz, 8 min, 1932, Poland
A nostalgic trip to the Polish capital of the 1930s. The film was restored using an incomplete copy and silent working materials.
Warsaw Once and Today
Ryszard Biske, 11 min, 1934, Poland
An album with Canaletto’s reproductions browsed by a little girl is an occasion to visit the past and compare contemporary Warsaw with 18th century paintings. The narrator of the film is the most famous interwar radio presenter Tadeusz Bocheński. The use of cinema organ for illustrating the documentary musically is a unique feature of the film.
Palace on the Isle
Leon Jeannot, 8 min, 1936, Poland
A walk through the Royal Baths Park during which we learn about its history and architecture.
20th Anniversary of Independence
Witold Giersz, 11 min, 1938, Poland
Coverage of the celebrations of Independence Day and the 20th anniversary of the Second Polish Republic in Warsaw and in Trans-Olza.
Changing of the Guard at the City Headquarters
8 min, 1938, Poland
Coverage of the celebratory changing of the guard at the City Headquarters and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw.
Warsaw Memories
Franciszek Ożga, 21 min, 1944, Poland
Warsaw Parade (1937) was the only film revue produced in Poland. It was a medley of songs, monologues, and dance numbers performed by the Warsaw idols of the 1930s. During World War II the pieces that remained were re-edited in the USA and that’s how the short Warsaw Memories was created, which consists of nine scenes from Warsaw Parade.
A Sunday in Warsaw
8 min, 1938, Poland
A reportage depicting one summer day in the life of Warsaw and its inhabitants. Even though the filmmakers remain unknown, it’s probably one of the first experimental Polish TV productions.
Descriptions: Michał Pieńkowski
More information about Timeless Film Festival Warsaw: timelessfilmfestival.pl