Papusza (15)
Roma poet Bronislawa Wajs (1908-87), known as Papusza, has become something of a legend in Poland. In their latest film, Joanna Kos-Krauze and Krzysztof Krauze (My Nikifor, Saviour Square) explore her history in a film shot mainly in the Roma language. The narrative moves through several time planes and, while recounting various aspects of her life story, also recreates the patterns of Roma life in the pre-war period. World War II saw the killing of some 35,000 Polish Roma, while the post-war Communist regime forced the remainder to abandon their traditional lifestyle. The film focuses principally on the discovery of Papusza by the ethnographer, Jerzy Fikowski, the first Polish writer to chart Roma history and customs. The black and white photography is sharp and poetic - and occasionally romantic. Papusza, which was five years in the making, is an inspired and innovative evocation of a reality now past.Running Time: 131 minutes
Director: Krzysztof Krauze, Joanna Kos-Krauze
Author: Krzysztof Krauze, Joanna Kos-Krauze
Cast: Jowita Budnik, Antoni Pawlicki, Zbigniew Walerys