From 10 December 2024 to 25 March 2025, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the artistic journey of one of Poland's most influential filmmakers. Accompanying the exhibition is a film retrospective running until 26 December 2024.
A cinematic bridge between Poland and Japan
Andrzej Wajda held a deep connection with Japan, visiting the country seven times throughout his life. These journeys were not only sources of creative inspiration, but also opportunities for the director to immerse himself in Japan's rich cultural heritage. His experiences are captured in notes and sketches, reflecting his admiration and contemplation of Japanese life. These personal artifacts will be showcased, offering a unique glimpse into Wajda's perspective.
Film retrospective organized by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute
Over two weeks, the festival will screen 14 of Wajda's films, highlighting his work from 1954 to 1994. The selection includes seminal pieces such as:
- "A Generation" (1954)
- "Everything for Sale" (1968)
- "Man of Marble" (1977)
- "Nastasja" (1994)
A total of 30 ticketed screenings are planned. One special showing will feature a lecture by Polish film historian Dr. Rafał Syska, who curated the "Wajda" exhibition at the National Museum in Kraków in 2019.
An immersive multimedia experience
Prepared by the Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology in Kraków, the exhibition aims to create an interactive space filled with visuals and sounds that echo the dynamic nature of Wajda's creative process. Objects from the Andrzej Wajda Archive, usually housed at the Manggha Museum, will be on display. These include:
- Personal notebooks: Filled with daily entries, sketches, and reflections spanning much of his life.
- Letters and production documents: Offering insight into his filmmaking journey.
- Props and costumes: Including items from the film "Katyn" (2007) and a costume worn by Krystyna Zachwatowicz-Wajda in "The Maids of Wilko" (1979).
The exhibition also features items from collections across Poland:
- Production stills and behind-the-scenes photographs from the National Film Archive – Audiovisual Institute in Warsaw.
- Film posters from the Museum of Cinematography in Łódź.
- Costumes from the National Centre for Film Culture in Łódź and the Feature Film Studio in Wrocław.
- Prestigious awards: Wajda's honorary Oscar and the Palme d'Or from Cannes for "Man of Iron" (1981), courtesy of the Ossolineum in Wrocław and the Jagiellonian University Museum in Kraków.
Fragments of Wajda's films will transform the exhibition space into a multimedia spectacle, guiding visitors through themes of his childhood, wartime experiences, revolutionary ideas, and his deep appreciation for Japanese culture.
The events are a collaborative effort between the National Film Archive of Japan, the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, and the Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology. Partners include the National Museum in Kraków and the Polish Institute in Tokyo.
Event details:
- Exhibition "Wajda": 10 December 2024 – 25 March 2025
- Film Retrospective: 10 December 2024 – 26 December 2024
- Venue: National Film Archive of Japan, Tokyo
For more information and ticket bookings, visit the National Film Archive of Japan's official website.
(jh)
Source: IAM, NFAJ