THE STRUCTURE OF CRYSTAL [1969]
year:
- 1969
release date:
- 14 X 1969
runtime:
- 74 min
directed by:
- Krzysztof Zanussi
written by:
- Krzysztof Zanussi
director of photography:
- Stefan Matyjaszkiewicz
cast:
- Barbara Wrzesińska [Anna], Jan Mysłowicz [Jan], Andrzej Żarnecki [Marek Kawecki], Władysław Jarema [grandpa], Adam Dębski [a forester], Urszula Gałecka [an actress in the film], Monika Dzienisiewicz-Olbrychska [as herself], Daniel Olbrychski [as himself], Barbara Wachowicz [as herself]
edited by:
- Zofia Dwornik
music by:
- Wojciech Kilar
production design:
- Tadeusz Wybult
produced by:
- Studio Filmowe „Tor”
executive producer:
- Jerzy Owoc
awards:
-
• Andrzej Munk Award 1969 for Krzysztof Zanussi
• IFF Mar del Plata (Argentina) 1970: best screenplay award, the Argentinean Film Critics Award for directorial debut, Argentine Federation of Film Clubs award for Krzysztof Zanussi
• Lubusz Film Summer Łagów 1970: best cinematography award for Stefan Matyjaszkiewicz
• Warsaw Mermaid 1970 for Krzysztof Zanussi
• IFF Valladolid (Spain) 1970: Premio Cidade de Valladolid for Krzysztof Zanussi
• IFF Panama (Panama) 1970: Special Award for Krzysztof Zanussi
• IFF Colombo (Sri Lanka) 1970: First Prize for Krzysztof Zanussi
About the film
Film debut of an outstanding Polish director. A reflexive moral discourse on the difficulties of choosing an approach in life, and a raw portrayal of the life of an intellectual in a remote village.
Jan, a young, talented physicist, works in the countryside as a meteorologist. His wife Anna is a teacher at the local school. One winter day, Marek, a friend of Jan’s from the university, comes to the secluded facility. He has just returned from a foreign scholarship and is beginning a brilliant academic career. The purpose of the visit is to persuade Jan to return to the city, where they would work together in an academic team under the direction of their former professor. While staying at Jan’s home, Marek - at the request of Anna - gives a talk at the school. The friends have long philosophical discussions, in which Marek tries to convince Jan to use his talent in science. Anna sides with him, only Jan remains undecided. Marek leaves without his declaration, but he promises to visit more often.
Jan Słodowski, Leksykon polskich filmów fabularnych, Warszawa 1996
