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BY John Biweekly

What better way to inaugurate the second year of Biweekly than with the Film Spring Open, especially with classes led by such professionals as Andrzej Waluk and film screenings featuring the likes of Bogdan Dziworski

Having returned from the Film Spring Open, held in Kraków, I can only think about two things: 3D and the work of Bogdan Dziworski. This edition of the largely outdoor workshops was the sixth in the history of the Open. The main theme this year was 3D, but the choice had little to do with being trendy. It was treated rather as a technique that any cinematographer must be cognizant of if he or she considers themselves a professional (although judging by the participants of the FSO, the hes greatly outnumber the shes). Sławomir Idziak, a renowned cinematographer and the head of the entire venture, says that 3D should not be treated as a gimmick slapped onto a movie poster in order to guarantee serious revenue. It has to be chosen wisely, in keeping with the concept of the film, its aesthetics, and its script. Surprisingly, budgetary constraints do not have to play a great role in the decision. As the hands-on classes at the FSO proved, 3D effects can be achieved with a bit of ingenuity and just a touch of money.

Special Birthday,
cover by Malwina KonopackaThe programme of the FSO, which goes on until 7 April, is quite rich and consists of lectures, hands-on classes, and film screenings. As for the latter, I won’t list all the films on the agenda, since some can be seen at film festivals in Poland and Europe (and surely elsewhere). But there was a rare gem shown at the Open, namely the documentary work of Bogdan Dziworski. We watched “just” four of them last night, before we were forced to stop. It was getting really late, and were it not for the 8 am breakfast, we could have gone on until the very morning. A Few Stories About a Man (Kilka opowieści o człowieku, 1983) was the first one shown that evening, and most of the audience already knew it by heart. Still, everyone was stunned by the great photography, the author’s narrative imagination, as well as by the character himself. The Welcome Quote in Biweekly#16 is Dziworski’s subtle, friendly joke about his protagonist Jerzy Orłowski, a man with no arms who is nevertheless capable of swimming, skiing, and drawing with amazing precision. A spitfire and perfectionist. But oh, the photography! (The FSO is, after all, about the realm of the image.) What ingenious eye and what perfect execution.

One of Dziworski’s students leaned towards me and whispered:

“So now you know why we follow him around all the time like some god?”

“Yes, I understand.” I replied to myself. Another student murmured:

“3D my ass… This is the real deal.”

And he sighed deeply.

So did I.

Oh, Biweekly is one year old. When did that happen?

Biweekly#16. Editor: Agnieszka Słodownik. Cover by Malwina Konopacka. Published 1 April, 2011 at 18:09.