Kazimierz Karabasz

The documentary director's reminiscences of his past protagonists, themes and inspirations as well as meetings with old friends and colleagues.

A classical Polish documentary, while at the same time trying to summarize the period 1989-1999 - politically, socially and economically. Kazimierz Karabasz interviews two generations: young people finishing high school and the older, retiring generation. They are all passengers of the train, which takes on a symbolic dimension here. At first we listen to their statements, among other peers, then look at them closely. In the background are lines by Tadeusz Rozewicz about the end of one era and the beginning of the next. In the statements of people retiring abound concerns about the financial situation, restoration of pensions. Tired of work, without prospects for a peaceful future, they recall with fondness the past. Young people are afraid of the future, talk about their perspectives and aspirations. Passengers on the train sitting next to each other often in silence.

Over a series of still photographs the director asks ordinary people about their lives, hopes and fears.

Documentary about three inhabitants of Grzybowska street in Warsaw. Their statements, photographs and film footage reveal the characters' relationship to their place of residence, describing the "here and now" of the Poles.

Documentary about three inhabitants of Grzybowska street in Warsaw. Their statements, photographs and film footage reveal the characters' relationship to their place of residence, describing the "here and now" of the Poles.

The street poll proves that the memory of Nowa Huta has faded in the Poles' consciousness. The documentary filmmaker and his team decided to seek out the heroes of those events from 1949-1954, from the beginning of the works to the smelting of the first pig iron from the first furnace.

The street poll proves that the memory of Nowa Huta has faded in the Poles' consciousness. The documentary filmmaker and his team decided to seek out the heroes of those events from 1949-1954, from the beginning of the works to the smelting of the first pig iron from the first furnace.

Documentary about the lives of three generations of residents of Warsaw’s Wola district.

Documentary about the lives of three generations of residents of Warsaw’s Wola district.

The heroine of Kazimierz Karabasz's film is Maria Kolano, a first-year student at the Warsaw Agricultural University, who returns to her hometown of Żabno during the summer vacations to help her parents with their fieldwork. The documentary filmmaker equips Maria with a camera.

An idealistic young cellist becomes dissatisfied with her relationship with a poor student who thinks primarily of money.

An idealistic young cellist becomes dissatisfied with her relationship with a poor student who thinks primarily of money.

Documentary about the life of a young woman from the countryside who works in a city factory, her hopes and difficulties.

A documentary portrait of Franciszek Wrobel - a twenty-year-old boy leaving his village in order to join one of the Silesian labour corps. It’s the first attempt in the history of Polish documentary cinema to create a deep, psychological image of one protagonist.

A documentary portrait of Franciszek Wrobel - a twenty-year-old boy leaving his village in order to join one of the Silesian labour corps. It’s the first attempt in the history of Polish documentary cinema to create a deep, psychological image of one protagonist.

Examines the hopes and aspirations of a group of 18-year-old girls following their graduation from a college in Warsaw.

Pigeon breeders (men mostly) are a special kind of enthusiasts. Their hobby includes an element of competition – a long-distance race of carrier pigeons.

Pigeon breeders (men mostly) are a special kind of enthusiasts. Their hobby includes an element of competition – a long-distance race of carrier pigeons.

A day in a life of children attending first year of music school

This documentary wants people to stop armament. Instead of that, we should focus on humanitarian aid, education and healthcare. There is no commentary in the film, some images of the modern world spread the message. On the one hand, it is industry; on the other hand – famine.

This documentary wants people to stop armament. Instead of that, we should focus on humanitarian aid, education and healthcare. There is no commentary in the film, some images of the modern world spread the message. On the one hand, it is industry; on the other hand – famine.

Railway Junction.

A portrait of a traveling circus.

A portrait of a traveling circus.

An orchestra of working-class musicians rehearses in this short film, honored at the 1960 Venice Film Festival and among the favorite films of director Krzysztof Kieslowski who mentored under this documentary's director.

An orchestra of working-class musicians rehearses in this short film, honored at the 1960 Venice Film Festival and among the favorite films of director Krzysztof Kieslowski who mentored under this documentary's director.

Children, absorbed in drawing and painting, share their thoughts and preferences with the filmmaker. Not restricted by any convention, they experience their adventure with art.

Children, absorbed in drawing and painting, share their thoughts and preferences with the filmmaker. Not restricted by any convention, they experience their adventure with art.

A lonely man wanders the streets of contemporary Warsaw. He reads the daily press, observes women in a beauty salon and follows the action on a film set. In each of the places he is just an observer, not a protagonist.

A documentary depicting the Warsaw district of Powiśle where time has stopped. One of several films made by Kazimierz Karabasz included in the "black series" of Polish documentaries. Featuring a commentary typical for documentaries of the second half of the 1950s, it is distinguished by penetrating observation and lyricism.

A documentary depicting the Warsaw district of Powiśle where time has stopped. One of several films made by Kazimierz Karabasz included in the "black series" of Polish documentaries. Featuring a commentary typical for documentaries of the second half of the 1950s, it is distinguished by penetrating observation and lyricism.

The film belongs to the so-called Black Polish documentary series about a group of young people from the Praga district. The authors' intention was to draw attention to the problems inherent in society.

A look at the poorest district of Warsaw. Targówek looks as if the war ended just yesterday - the place is full of rubble and misery, and devoid of any perspectives for a better future.

A look at the poorest district of Warsaw. Targówek looks as if the war ended just yesterday - the place is full of rubble and misery, and devoid of any perspectives for a better future.

Rhythmic and indicative documentary that shows how every day 150,000 people hurry to work by public transport from their homes in the suburbs of Warsaw.