Images of Revolution
The Images of Revolution show promoting the Hope is of a Different Color (2019) book and Warsaw Museum of Modern Art exhibition, curated by Magda Lipska and Monika Talarczyk. Meanwhile, we recall a fascinating link unfamiliar in the broader discourse: shorts by African artists studying at the Łódź Film School, including Mostafa Derkaoui's New Wave and musical films.
People from the Cellar
Documentary directed by Mustapha Derkaoui, academic advisor: Henryk Kluba.
A jazz-infused introduction into the milieu and musical environment of Andrzej Kurylewicz’s Piwnica Artystyczna club. With appearances by artists Wanda Warska, Włodzimierz Nahorny, Barbara Brylska, Stanisław Tym and Jean Chavrain – a representative of the Estates General of the French Cinema.
Somewhere on a Given Day
Documentary directed by Mustapha Derkaoui, academic advisors: Mieczysław Jahoda and Marek Nowicki. An account of the preparations for the staging of Régis Debray’s Notes on Gramsci directed by Stanisław Tym. A group of international students gathered at Warsaw’s 'Stodoła' club discuss philosophy and politics accompanied by the music of Włodzimierz Nahorny’s quartet.
A hymn on the Death of the Young
Poetic short film directed by Idriss Karim, academic advisors: Janusz Majewski and Kazimierz Konrad. A surrealistic portrait of restaurant guests as seen by an otherworldly visitor who has the ability to read people’s subconscious. The visual journey is complemented by Janusz Kusza’s political protest songs performed by students of the Academy of Music in Łódź. Film director Piotr Szulkin plays the role of the fakir.
Patrik
Documentary directed by Beverly Joan Marcus, academic advisor: Stanisław Grabowski. African National Congress (ANC) activist Patrik Mabinda arrives in Poland to speak about his struggle for freedom in the Republic of South Africa. Images from his presentation at the University of Lodz School of Polish for Foreign Students are juxtaposed with those from Mabinda’s visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.
Born in Chains
Poetic short film directed by Jam Karanja, academic advisor: Wojciech Jerzy Has. A game of visual associations between ‘whiteness’ and ‘blackness’; ‘freedom’ and ‘constraint’. Performed by black and white actors.
A Shadow Among Others
Narrative short film directed by Abdelkader Lagtaa. Settling of scores among international Marxist revolutionaries. A spirit of Mhedi Ben Barka inspired revolt. Mustapha Derkaoui stars as the victim of the Brygada Eliminująca Wrogów Politycznych (Political Enemy Liquidation Brigade).