POLISH CUISINE [1991]
year:
- 1991
release date:
- 22 XI 1991
runtime:
- 107 min
directed by:
- Jacek Bromski
written by:
- Jacek Bromski
director of photography:
- Edward Kłosiński, Janusz Gauer
cast:
- Krystyna Janda [Margaret Szymanko], Krzysztof Kolberger [Jerzy Bergman], Piotr Machalica [Henryk Kowalczyk], Marek Kondrat [Stanisław Szymanko], Wiktor Zborowski [Jan Biesiekierski], Krzysztof Majchrzak [major Bolko], Sława Kwaśniewska [Jarosława Szymanko], Teresa Budzisz-Krzyżanowska [Irena Biesiekierska], Anna Chodakowska [Alicja, Bergman’s wife], Janusz Michałowski [Świątek, a lawyer], Leon Niemczyk [Ignacy Feureisen], Teresa Lipowska [the school headmistress], Joanna Kasperska [Bergman’s secretary], Halina Rowicka [Helena Kowalczykowa], Gustaw Lutkiewicz [the State Farm director]
edited by:
- Jadwiga Zajiček
music by:
- Henri Seroka
production design:
- Dorota Ignaczak
produced by:
- Studio Filmowe „Zebra”
executive producer:
- Dorota Ostrowska-Orlińska
About the film
The film is an attempt to address the communist past of the first half of the 1950s.
It is 1945. Lieutenant Stanisław Szymanko is one of many officers of the Polish Army who had been fighting in the West and are now returning to Poland. He is accompanied by his English wife, Margaret. On the day of the death of Stalin, Szymanko finds out that he has a child. He is overjoyed and is beaming with pride. A policeman, believing that the man is happy because of the death of the "leader of nations", arrests him.
The case only seems trivial: Szymanko is suspected of espionage. The investigation into his case is carried out by Major Bolko. His immediate superior is Colonel Bergman. After the arrest of her husband, Margaret tries to do everything to save Stanisław. Finally, she arrives at the office of Bergman. The Colonel falls for Margaret. He wants her. The woman, trying to save her husband, becomes his mistress. In a staged trial, Szymanko is sentenced to many years in prison. Margaret decides to escape from Poland. The operation is organised by Major Bolko’s provocateurs. Bergman opens a corridor of safety for Margaret, but it turns out to be a tragic trap. The gullible woman is killed while trying to escape. In 1956, Stanisław Szymanko is released.
Waldemar Piątek, Leksykon polskich filmów fabularnych, Warszawa 1996
