The annual, two-part festival presents classic Polish cinema as well as contemporary works produced by the newest generation of the country’s filmmakers. It showcases internationally recognized films that might not otherwise be seen in the area and attracts renowned Polish actors, directors, screenwriters, and critics to Rochester.

Schedule:

A double feature of Fire and Barrier will be shown starting at 7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m: Fire
Pozar
1975, 7 minutes
Directed and written by: Witold Giersz
An apocalyptic vision of a forest fire.

7:30 p.m: Barrier
Bariera
1966, 77 minutes
Directed and written by: Jerzy Skolimowski
Music: Krzysztof Komeda
Principal cast: Jan Nowicki, Joanna Szczerbic, Tadeusz Łomnicki, Maria Malicka, Zdzisław Maklakiewicz, and Ryszard Pietruski
A rebellious student wants to get total independence and overcome all the barriers in his life: of money, age, status, cults and conventions. Convinced that ideals are meant to be lost sooner or later, he decides to speed up the process, and quickly establish himself within the society of "small stabilization". However, he meets a girl with completely different ideals. The title of the film introduces the theme of the generational conflict, the barrier which exists between the young man and his elderly father who remains far closer to his memories of the war than to the realities of Sixties Poland. The film bursts with startling imagery, perfectly complemented by Krzysztof Komeda's innovative jazz score.

Buy Tickets