Jerzy Kawalerowicz

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Jerzy Kawalerowicz (born January 19, 1922) is a Polish film director.

Kawalerowicz is one of Poland's most talented post-World War II directors, noted for his powerful, detail-oriented imagery and the depth of ideas in his films. He has been versatile, his subjects ranging from historical dramas to intense psychological studies. After working as an assistant director, he made his directorial debut with the 1951 film The Village Mill (Gromada). He has been a leading figure in the Polish Film School, and his films Shadow (Cień, 1956) and Night Train (Pociąg, 1959) constitute some of that movement's best work. Other noted works by Kawalerowicz include Mother Joan of the Angels (Matka Joanna od aniolów, 1961) and a 1966 adaptation of Polish novelist Bolesław Prus' historical novel Pharaoh for which he was nominated to the Academy Award.

In 1955 Kawalerowicz was appointed head of the prestigious KADR production unit. He held that position again in 1972. He always resisted pressures of the communist administration to produce propaganda films. His studio produced some of the best Polish movies by Andrzej Wajda, Tadeusz Konwicki and Juliusz Machulski. In 1983 he alienated some of his peers by signing communist government reports criticizing filmmakers aligned with Solidarity.

[edit] Selected filmography

Quo Vadis? (2001)
Bronstein's Children (Bronsteins Kinder , 1991)
The Hostage of Europe (Jeniec Europy, 1989)
Austeria (1983)
Memoirs of a Sinner (Osobisty Pamietnik Grzesznika Przez Niego Samego, 1986)
Death of a President (Smierc prezydenta , 1978)
Pharaoh (Faraon, 1966)
Mother Joan of the Angels (Matka Joanna od aniolów, 1961)
Night Train (Pociąg, 1959)
The Real End of the Great War (Prawdziwy koniec wielkiej wojny, 1957)
Shadow (Cien, 1956)
Under the Phrygian Star (Pod gwiazda frygijska, 1954)
The Village Mill (Gromada, 1952)