Th e quests and fascinations of Antoni Bohdziewicz (1906-1970) Cover Image

Poszukiwania i fascynacje Antoniego Bohdziewicza (1906–1970)
Th e quests and fascinations of Antoni Bohdziewicz (1906-1970)

Author(s): Małgorzata Hendrykowska
Subject(s): Theatre, Dance, Performing Arts, Sociology of Art
Published by: Uniwersytet Adama Mickiewicza
Keywords: Antoni Bohdziewicz; Imagination Theatre;

Summary/Abstract: This article is devoted to the director Antoni Bohdziewiczs creative output and teaching work at the Łódź Film School, to commemorate the 110th anniversary of his birth. The author presents Bohdziewiczs early days as a director at Polish Radio in Vilnius, and also his work as a film critic. A significant moment in Bohdziewiczs life was his leaving for Paris on a scholarship on Prof. Władysław Tatarkiewicz’ recommendation, where he produced several short films. On returning to Poland, Bohdziewicz enjoyed success mainly as a reporter for Polish Radio and also as the co-founder of the Imagination Theater (Teatr Wyobraźni). When war broke out he got involved in underground activities, becoming one of the organizers recording the events of the Warsaw Uprising on film. Bohdziewiczs post-war activities were significantly affected by his appearance at the Filmmakers’ Congress in Wisła (1949), at which he spoke out against introducing the ideas of socialist realism. Bohdziewicz never felt fulfilled as a director, despite producing several films, including documentaries, feature films based on contemporary themes and literary adaptations. His true passion remained his lecturing work at the Łódź Film School. The article quotes many of his pupils and protegees, including Andrzej Wajda, Janusz Majewski, Kazimierz Kutz, who saw him as their master, and their artistic and spiritual guide through those times. Without exception they emphasis how Bohdziewicz lived solely for the School. In his later years he was strongly associated with the Film Discussion Club movement; he occasionally worked in theater, wrote, and taught at the INSAS Film School in Brussels. With hindsight and from his pupils’ remembrances, it becomes clear just how invaluable his teaching work at the Łódź Film School was

  • Issue Year: 19/2016
  • Issue No: 28
  • Page Range: 248-264
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: Polish