The 1987 Laureates / Creative Arts and Moral Sciences Category / Cinema, Theater

Film and I

At the request of the sponsor of this commemorative lecture, I will look back over the thirty years I have spent as a film-maker and dramatist. From among my films and numerous stage productions, I will attempt to extract some general principles and precepts which may be of interest to you.

Have I been able to discover anything exciting? I am talking not only about films perse but also about the methods of my work. I hope my attempt will be successful and that I will be able to utilize my time effectively.

My first conscious experience was of war. I saw how short human life could be and how quickly it could be extinguished. Based on this personal experience, I have not left any work undone as I realized that the time I had to accomplish all my plans was short.

In the difficult postwar period there were repeated social and political crises in my country, and even though we looked forward to better political circumstances, I soon learned that hope alone was not enough.

Film and drama have in common dynamic art forms with a wide appeal and impact. A film producer is an artist, but should he rely solely on his personal artistic ability in his job, his work will be unsatisfactory. It is necessary to have the ability to bring out the artistry of the actors by working closely together with them.

Nevertheless, the personal disposition of the artist should be preserved as well as the spark of creativity which often has its roots in the artist's native country. It is good to cultivate one's talent and keep it intact wherever one goes in the world. Still, no matter what the hardship and no matter how one is buffeted about in the crowd as one grows older, it is also pleasant and desirable to be able to say "thank you" to and to feel at home in one's own country.

After my talk, I hope you will understand more clearly why film producers in Poland often speak of political problems and have to participate in social debates related to the freedom of the individual and the group.

Since drama and films arise out of the social group itself and are made for the general public, we film producers also must act as responsible social human beings.