04-02-2010
Krzysztof Komeda – a Polish medic, Jazz pianist and film composer. His music gained cult-status in Poland. Everywhere else in the world especially his soundtracks stay in mind forever. With compositions like the lullaby for Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby Komeda succeeded in writing his own chapter in the history of film music.
The melodious, often melancholic sounds of his music seem to be like the soundtrack for his own dramatic life story: Komeda was an icon of artistic opposition to the communist Poland of the 50s and 60s. He left for America and discovered a completely different way of life. But in 1969 he has a tragic accident and dies at the height of his career only 37 years of age.
The film essay Komeda – A Soundtrack for a life is mainly a reflection on Komeda’s soundtracks and their connection to his life. But it is also a contemporary document about the attitude to life in a time of social, political and cultural change after war, about work and exodus of Polish artist in the 50s and 60s
time : 52 min.
year: 2010
Awards:
- Special Prize FIPA D’ARGENT in category PERFORMING ARTS at Festival International des Programmes Audiovisuels in Biarritz 2010.
Beginning of 1945, Upper Silesia, Poland. The last days of WW2. At the just liberated areas, the Communist Security Service eliminates its enemies under the pretext of punishing “national traitors.” It organizes a labour camp for Germans, Silesians and Poles, at the site of a former Nazi concentration camp, which is named “Zgoda” / “Reconciliation”. Franek, who is in love with a Polish prisoner Anna, joins the camp crew to rescue her. He doesn't know that one of the inmates is Erwin, his German friend, who, like himself, has also loved Anna for a long time. Franek joins Communists in the illusory hope of outsmarting the system.
See also: