director Krzysztof Zanussi
screenplay Krzysztof Zanussi, Edward Żebrowski
director of photography Jan Hesse
with Maja Komorowska, Zbigniew Zapasiewicz, Eugenia Herman, Jadwiga Colonna-Walewska, Piotr Garlicki
awards
Grand Prix and Best Female Role awarded to Maja Komorowska at the Festival of Independent Films in San Remo, 1971
KRZYSZTOF ZANUSSI, EDWARD ŻEBROWSKI, BEHIND THE WALL (EXCERPT FROM THE SCRIPT) [IN:] FILM STORIES [ZA ŚCIANĄ, [W:] NOWELE FILMOWE], WARSZAWA 1976
In the receiver, the ringing, stentorian voice of Professor: Janek, my dear fellow, I’ve a little problem, There’s that woman waiting for me in the secretary’s office, recommended by professor Klagen (…). Be so kind and get rid of her, she’s a complete wreck (…). She may become a teacher or go into manufacturing, not everyone has to have a doctor’s degree… For a moment Docent tries to find some arguments. Professor uses the short break to cut the conversation with a bossy tone: I owe you a double vodka, Janek. So do it right away. Resignedly, Docent approaches the office door. Secretary smiles significantly. Only Anna looks like someone who does not realise the matter refers to her.
CZESŁAW DONDZIŁŁO, YOUNG POLISH CINEMA OF THE SEVENTIES [MŁODE KINO POLSKIE LAT SIEDEMDZIESIĄTYCH], WARSZAWA 1985
Something, however, came to life (in Docent) since he felt ill at ease at the sight of an emergency ambulance pulling up at their common block of flats. Maybe from this moment on the chord touched on this occasion will resound more and more audibly, will demolish the rational order of his self-programming personality (…). Zanussi makes the problems keener. He says that achieving success in contemporary conditions forces a person to apply such discipline that all other ‘non-productive’ spheres of one’s personality are pushed into the background; they wither away and become dwarfed (…), resulting in procreation of disabled creatures who are sometimes not even aware of their incapacity.
history periods
