Kazimierz Karabasz

"The biography of an adult man is like a multi-storey magazine - hundreds of facts, large and small events, painful places, motives extinguishing," says Kazimierz Karabasz in the film. Andrzej Sapija decided to show the life of his "teacher and guide". The documentary, which shows the method of working with the protagonist and the master's many years of film experience, is at the same time the story of Polish documentaries told by the master.

Maria Zmarz-Koczanowicz directed this insightful TV documentary (2005) tracing the Polish filmmaker's career. Former classmates reminisce about Kieslowski's happy beginnings at the Lodz film school and how his dissatisfaction with some of his early documentaries prompted the dramatic work and stylistic experimentation that led to his monumental series of films The Decalogue (1989). Wim Wenders, Agnieszka Holland, and Juliette Binoche are among the many admirers weighing in on his hard-driving work methods and preoccupation with the ephemeral. In Polish, French, and German with subtitles.

A documentary depicting life in Targówek, a deprived and crime-affected district of postwar Warsaw, where reconstruction and cultural development projects have failed to materialize.

A documentary depicting life in Targówek, a deprived and crime-affected district of postwar Warsaw, where reconstruction and cultural development projects have failed to materialize.

Pigeon breeders (men mostly) are a special kind of enthusiasts. Their hobby includes an element of competition – a long-distance race of carrier pigeons.

Pigeon breeders (men mostly) are a special kind of enthusiasts. Their hobby includes an element of competition – a long-distance race of carrier pigeons.

Kazimierz Karabasz visits circles of amateur photographers in small towns (most of the photographs were taken in Włodawa) and listens to their stories about the town, its inhabitants and photographing their everyday life. The young people, who are active at community centres, show the documentarian what role photography plays in their lives and how it influences their perception of their surroundings: places and people. Photography thus becomes a school for looking, seeing and developing sensitivity. As it turns out, it is not always the form and workshop that are the most important.

Kazimierz Karabasz visits circles of amateur photographers in small towns (most of the photographs were taken in Włodawa) and listens to their stories about the town, its inhabitants and photographing their everyday life. The young people, who are active at community centres, show the documentarian what role photography plays in their lives and how it influences their perception of their surroundings: places and people. Photography thus becomes a school for looking, seeing and developing sensitivity. As it turns out, it is not always the form and workshop that are the most important.

A documentary depicting the Warsaw district of Powiśle where time has stopped. One of several films made by Kazimierz Karabasz included in the "black series" of Polish documentaries. Featuring a commentary typical for documentaries of the second half of the 1950s, it is distinguished by penetrating observation and lyricism.

A documentary depicting the Warsaw district of Powiśle where time has stopped. One of several films made by Kazimierz Karabasz included in the "black series" of Polish documentaries. Featuring a commentary typical for documentaries of the second half of the 1950s, it is distinguished by penetrating observation and lyricism.

A lonely man wanders the streets of contemporary Warsaw. He reads the daily press, observes women in a beauty salon and follows the action on a film set. In each of the places he is just an observer, not a protagonist.

A documentary about a group of Warsaw tram workers who moonlight in the city orchestra at night.

A documentary about a group of Warsaw tram workers who moonlight in the city orchestra at night.

An idealistic young cellist becomes dissatisfied with her relationship with a poor student who thinks primarily of money.

An idealistic young cellist becomes dissatisfied with her relationship with a poor student who thinks primarily of money.

A portrait of a traveling circus.

A portrait of a traveling circus.

The street poll proves that the memory of Nowa Huta has faded in the Poles' consciousness. The documentary filmmaker and his team decided to seek out the heroes of those events from 1949-1954, from the beginning of the works to the smelting of the first pig iron from the first furnace.

The street poll proves that the memory of Nowa Huta has faded in the Poles' consciousness. The documentary filmmaker and his team decided to seek out the heroes of those events from 1949-1954, from the beginning of the works to the smelting of the first pig iron from the first furnace.

A look into the life of a college student over the course of one month

A look into the life of a college student over the course of one month

The documentary director's reminiscences of his past protagonists, themes and inspirations as well as meetings with old friends and colleagues.

Documentary about the lives of three generations of residents of Warsaw’s Wola district.

Documentary about the lives of three generations of residents of Warsaw’s Wola district.

The film belongs to the so-called Black Polish documentary series about a group of young people from the Praga district. The authors' intention was to draw attention to the problems inherent in society.

The film belongs to the so-called Black Polish documentary series about a group of young people from the Praga district. The authors' intention was to draw attention to the problems inherent in society.