Gwiazda Piołun (1988)
The final stage of the great artist's life, a stage in which Witkacy decides to destroy himself. A growing sense of danger, the futility of all actions, and fear of what is to come accompany him constantly during his escape from Warsaw to the East at the outbreak of World War II. Everyday facts and events are intertwined in the film with reminiscences and images from his life, supported by the artist's inner monologue. The style of narration and the way of filming make the film a poignant study of the writer's inner disintegration. By emphasizing the painterly quality of the image and introducing dreamlike themes, Kluba captures on screen the characteristics of both Witkacy's playwriting and painting.
Director: Henryk Kluba
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Tadeusz Huk as Man |
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Katarzyna Bargiełowska as Woman |
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Zofia Rysiówna as Heiress |
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Zygmunt Bielawski as Colonel |
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Krzysztof Kołbasiuk as Heiress' son |
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Zdzisław Kozień as Pop |
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Ignacy Machowski as Rejent |
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Włodzimierz Musiał as Major |
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Leon Niemczyk as Pharmacist |
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Cezary Nowak as Doctor |
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Piotr Pawłowski as General |
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Grażyna Adamowicz-Grzyb as |
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Otylia Boss as |
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Ewa Frąckiewicz as Woman with a Candle |
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Joanna Jankowska as |
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Małgorzata Paruzel as |
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Marian Dziędziel as Policeman |
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Janusz Dziubiński as |
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Marian Harasimowicz as |
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Jan Hencz as |
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Eugeniusz Korczarowski as |
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Tomasz Kubiatowicz as |
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Jerzy Moniak as |
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Ryszard Mróz as Bible Researcher |
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Jarosław Pilarski as |
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Leszek Piskorz as Man in a Locale |
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Piotr Zawadzki Sauter as |
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Henryk Kluba as Mayor's clerk (uncredited) |
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Przemysław Tejkowski as Gang Member (uncredited) |
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Stefan Wójcicki as Man in a Rail Vehicle (uncredited) |
| Directing | Henryk Kluba | Director |
| Writing | Władysław Terlecki | Writer |
| Production | Jadwiga Adamiec | Administration |
| Writing | Władysław Terlecki | Novel |
| Camera | Jarosław Szoda | Director of Photography |
| Art | Andrzej Płocki | Production Design |
| Costume & Make-Up | Danuta Kowner-Hałatek | Costume Design |
| Art | Marta Kobierska | Interior Designer |
| Sound | Andrzej Trzaskowski | Music |
| Sound | Marek Wronko | Sound |
| Editing | Jerzy Pękalski | Editor |
| Costume & Make-Up | Teresa Tomaszewska | Makeup Artist |
| Production | Marek Depczyński | Production Manager |
| Camera | Paweł Edelman | Camera Operator |