Introduction (Krzysztof Zanussi)

Krzysztof Zanussi

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Krzysztof Zanussi

Introduction (Krzysztof Zanussi)
Spaces and Histories
Krzysztof Zanussi's Cinema

Introduction (Krzysztof Zanussi)
Spaces and Histories
Krzysztof Zanussi's Cinema

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Krzysztof Zanussi

Introduction (Krzysztof Zanussi)

Krzysztof Zanussi

Vigorous, layered, and saturated with mysteries, the films of Krzysztof Zanussi are richly paradoxical explorations of the intersection of philosophy, science, history, and art. In our expansive portrait film, Zanussi speaks with characteristic eloquence about all aspects of his filmmaking and his interactions with Robert Bresson, Stan Brakhage, Krzysztof Kieślowski, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Maria Callas, and Andrei Tarkovsky. Room 2 situates his work in the context of Polish environments and history, while room 3 explores his collaborations, influences, and style. Photograph by Gus Aronson (Warsaw, April 2022).

Krzysztof Zanussi Portrait Film

Warsaw, Poland (August 2022).

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Spaces and Histories

Archaeology of the Future

In films like Year of the Quiet Sun (1984, extract in room), Zanussi explored the massive population transfers that took place across Central Europe in the years after 1945. Zanussi explores some of these histories, including his own family trajectory, in this tour of his historic estate just outside of Warsaw.

Camouflage

This discussion of Zanussi, the Cinema of Moral Concern in the 1970s and 1980s, and Zanussi's film Camouflage (1977) took place as part of the inaugural Film Secession workshop in August 2022. The full film is available in the Exhibition How Cinephilia is Born.

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Krzysztof Zanussi's Cinema

Be Not Afraid

In this short film, Krzysztof Zanussi speaks at his home about his work with Krzysztof Kieślowski (whose early films he produced) and Karol Wojtyła (Pope John Paul II).

Faustian Visions

In Ether (2018), Zanussi gives new meaning to the Faustian themes that have played a key role throughout his career.

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Illumination

To open the inaugural Film Secession workshop in August 2022, a discussion about Zanussi's landmark film Illumination (1973) was held with Zanussi and critic Michał Oleszczyk at the celebrated Kino Muranów in the center of Warsaw. This excerpt is part of a larger film, which will be available separately.