A Year in the Life of the Country

Poland2024documentary85'

‘Dark night of martial law’ is the term used to refer to the time following 13 December 1981 in communist Poland. However, the period of state-imposed terror targeting the Solidarity movement had other faces, too. On the basis of exclusively archival footage, including less known materials, the film explores the backstage of the past events. To the rhythm of snare drums, it shows the everyday life of the country’s residents, the operations of its propaganda and army. By giving a stage to diverse voices of the street and contrasting parades, riots and carnival celebrations, it undermines the mythicised image of Polish society as a victim of the system. The film is presented in the national and international competitions.

directed by
Tomasz Wolski, portret reżysera
Tomasz Wolski

Director, screenwriter, cinematographer, and editor. A graduate of Journalism at the Jagiellonian University and the Documentary Course at the Wajda School (2003). Member of the Polish Filmmakers Association (SFP), Polish Academy of Film (PAF), and European Film Academy (EFA). Since 2024, he has also served on the Polish Film Institute (PISF) Council. His feature-length documentary 1970 was screened at over 50 international festivals worldwide and received numerous awards (Visions du Réel, Krakow Film Festival, Zagrebdox, Festival Film Dokumenter, Batumi International Art House Film Festival). He also edited Sergei Loznitsa’s films Babi Yar. Context and The Kiev Trial, as well as Anna Gawlita’s Krzyżoki.

script
Tomasz Wolski
music
Jerzy Rogiewicz, Dj Lenar
editing
Tomasz Wolski
production
Anna Gawlita (Kijora Film)
Photo
Kadr z filmu A Year in the Life of the Country