POLISH FILM ACADEMY

Krakow theatre and film actor, associated initially with the Rozmaitości Theatre, and then the Stary Theatre. Born on March 14, 1942 in Leńcze near Krakow.

Film never gave him the opportunity to fully demonstrate his talent, although he did find recognition in theatre. He made his screen debut in an episode of Stawka większa niż życie/More Than Life at Stake. He played numerous roles in TV theatre plays, often historical figures (Stalin based on Gaston Salvatore directed by Kazimierz Kutz), or uniformed dignitaries (President by Rocco Familiari directed by Grzegorz Braun). Luckily, his greatest theatrical roles were recorded on tape, such as Gustav-Konrad in Dziady/Forefathers' Eve directed by Konrad Swinarski (adapted for television by Laco Adamik).

In cinema, he is comfortable wearing a historical costume, for example in Królowa Bona/Queen Bona by Janusz Majewski, Andrzej Wajda's Danton, or Chilo in Quo Vadis by Jerzy Kawalerowicz. Typically, he plays supporting characters, but his performances are so powerful that they often overshadow the lead. Trela consciously uses his foreboding face and deep voice to capture the attention of the viewer. He uses his acting technique sparingly, relying on the power of silence and the intensity of his gaze.

Trela’s best film roles are that of complex, multi-faceted characters, constructed by freely manoeuvring between subtlety and expressiveness, for example in Autoportret z kochanką [Self-portrait with the mistress] by Radosław Piwowarski, where he was an overbearing, albeit proud father and an affectionate grandfather. Similarly ambiguous, constantly changing, was his performance as Mudroń in Legenda Tatr/Legend of the Tatras by Wojciech Solarz. In Anioł w szafie [Angel in the closet], a psychological drama by Stanisław Różewicz, he created a subtle portrayal of his aloof character, conveying his internal suffering.

Jerzy Trela was awarded at the festival in Gdynia for his supporting role in Autoportret z kochanką and nominated for the Polish Film Eagle Award for his roles in Quo Vadis, Anioł w Krakowie/Angel in Krakow and Zakochany anioł/Angel in Love.

Artur Majer