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Film, Media and Contemporary Cultures

Polish Cinema

Course Times & Enrolment

This course is currently unavailable.

Course Summary

The course is an introduction to Polish cinema looking at its iconic post-war directors and the works of contemporary filmmakers. Students will examine ten acclaimed films and analyse their socio-cultural and political resonance. Join us for these screenings of full features introduced by the tutor and followed by a lively group discussion.

Course Details

Pre-requisites for enrolment

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Content of Course

1. Andrzej Munk, The Passenger, 1963

2. Jerzy Kawalerowicz, Night Train, 1959

3. Roman Polanski, Knife in the Water, 1962

4. Andrzej Wajda, Man of Marble, 1977 

5. Krzysztof Kieslowski, Blind Chance, 1981 (114 minutes)

6. Malgorzata Szumowska, Body, 2015

7. Agnieszka Holland, Spoor, 2017

8. Maria Sadowska, The Art of Loving. Story of Michalina Wislocka, 2017

9. Pawel Pawlikowski, Cold War, 2018

10. Jan Komasa, Corpus Christi, 2019

Teaching method(s)

The course will take place in the Guild cinema of over a period of ten weeks.

Each session will follow the same pattern:

  • introduction which sets the film or extract within its context historically, socially and cinematically;

  • screening of the film or extract;

  • discussion.

Students will be provided with background reading, reviews, criticism, on a weekly basis. Reflection on the course will continue throughout with consideration of the learning outcomes and the general development of the course.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

  • Appreciate a representative range of Polish films and directors;

  • Recognize various directorial styles and cinematic trends in Polish cinema;

  • Locate the films within their broader contexts (historically and culturally);

  • Discuss the studied films in depth.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended:

  • Haltof, M., 2018. Polish Cinema: A History. Oxford: Berghahn Books.

  • Falkowska, J. & Haltof M. [eds], 2003. New Polish Cinema. Trowbridge: Flick Books. 

  • Michalek, B., 1988. The Modern Cinema of Poland. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

  • Coates, P., 2005. The Red and the White: The Cinema of People’s Poland. London: Wallflower.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.