Reykjavík Grapevine - 05.05.2017, Side 43

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The Last Free Thinker
Polish cinema at Bíó Paradís
Words: Valur Gunnarsson Photo via: Wkipedia Commons
It’s 1945 and the struggle against
totalitarianism is just beginning.
While the people of Western Eu-
rope celebrate the end of Hitler-
ism and look forward to years of
Marshall Plan aid, the people of
Eastern Europe brace themselves
for Stalinism. Or, as the Polish
Home Army would say, “We await
you, Red Plague, to deliver us from
the Black Death.”
Director Andrzej Wajda, who
died last year at the age of 90,
fought in the Home Army against
the Nazis, while his father was
killed in the infamous Katyn Mas-
sacre by Soviet troops. He made
quite a few films dealing with
the period in his long career, but
initially studied painting in Kra-
kow. His final film, ‘Afterimage’,
dealing with the last years in the
life of real-life painter Władysław
Strzemiński, is thus in some part
inspired by his own experiences.
Wajda uses a strong brush to
tell his story. Our painter is inter-
rupted from his work as a large
portrait of Stalin obscures his
window. He punches a hole in the
thing to let the light in, leading
to predictably dire consequences.
But this is, in fact, Wladyslaw’s
only attempt at open rebellion.
Mainly, he is content to keep his
head down and concentrate on his
abstract painting. But it is the ter-
rible logic of totalitarianism that
it is not content to control people’s
actions, it must also invade their
minds. Wladyslaw’s major crime
lies not in what he does but in his
refusal to actively participate in
the system—not in what he says
but what he does not say.
Big Brother
Most of the story is set in 1948,
not quite coincidentally the year
George Orwell wrote ‘1984’. Partici-
pation in the morning hate is man-
datory. Perhaps an individual’s ul-
timate freedom lies in the right
to remain silent. But even this is
taken away. Abstract painting,
seen in the West as largely apoliti-
cal, is here a threat to the system
merely by refusing to endorse it.
Wladyslaw is fired from his
teaching position and gets a job
painting likenesses of Stalin. A
capable painter, he turns out to
be quite good at this, but is again
fired as his licence has been re-
voked. Ultimately, he is even re-
fused permission to buy paint.
There is no place left to run to.
The ultimate irony is that Wlady-
slaw used to support the revolution,
in 1917 when it was still fresh and
seemed set to liberate those who
had so long been oppressed. This
had gotten him into trouble with
the previous, nationalistic govern-
ment. Three decades later, and the
communists have become exactly
what they set out to oppose. Differ-
ent ideology, same shit.
The true artist must always stand
against whatever is the thought po-
lice of the day. As an artist, he can do
nothing else. Whatever the personal
cost. Władysław Strzemiński was a
rare, brave soul in one of the darkest
days of mankind. We can only hope
that those days won’t come again.
The Polish Film Days have been
held at Bíó Paradís in late April since
2012 in conjunction with the Pol-
ish Embassy. They are quite a boon
for Reykjavík’s burgeoning Polish-
speaking community and are also
a welcome opportunity for locals to
see some of the best cinema from
a country that has become so con-
nected with ours. (There are even
Polish-Icelandic sausages now, fus-
ing a beloved staple from both coun-
tries’ kitchens.) The marquee title
at this year’s Polish Film Days, ‘Af-
terimage’ is still screening, so you
can still get a taste of Polish culture
there.
SHARE: gpv.is/bio07
Museums
ÁRBÆR OPEN AIR MUSEM
Daily guided tours
Tours are rom 13:00 to 14:00 through
its open air exhibits.
• On permanent view.
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ICELAND
'The Making of A Nation'
This exhibition is intended to pro-
vide insight into the history of the
Icelandic nation from Settlement to
the present day.
• On permanent view
REYKJAVÍK CITY MUSEUM
‘Settlement Sagas: Accounts from
Manuscripts’
This exhibition has rarely seen
manuscripts that tell the history of
the settlement of Reykjavík.
• On permanent view
REYKJAVÍK MARITIME MUSEUM
'The Coast Guard Vessel Óðinn'
This vessel sailed through all three
Cod Wars and has also served as a
rescue ship to more than 200 ships.
• On permanent view
'From Poverty to Abundance'
Photos documenting Icelandic
fishermen at the turn of the 20th
century.
• On permanent view
'The History of Sailing'
Iceland’s maritime history that
showcases the growth of the Reyk-
javík Harbour.
• On permanent view
'Seawomen'
The fishing women of Iceland, past
and present
• On permanent view
VOLCANO HOUSE
The exhibition gives a brief overview
of Iceland’s magnificent nature.
• On permanent view
THE ICELANDIC PHALLOLOGICAL
MUSEUM
Permanent Exhibition
More than 215 penises and penile
parts belonging to land and sea
mammals of Iceland.
• On permanent view
Film
This month's special screenings at Bíó Paradís. For the complete schedule,
visit www.bioparadis.is.
Currently Screening
• Ghostbusters Party Screening!
• Coppelia Live Ballet
• Eurovision
• Spaceballs Party Screening!
• Rammstein In Paris
• Child's Play Late Night Screening
• Á Nýjum Stað / Eisheimat
• From Top To Bottoms
• The Sea Of Trees
• A Monster Calls
• Moonlight
• Genius
• Afterimage
• I, Daniel Blake
Events
Eurovision
Andrzej Wajda
Daily departures at 08:30
Visit Seljalandsfoss Waterfall,
Skógarfoss Waterfall,
Sólheimajökull Glacier and
Reynisara the Black Sand Beach
Price: 13.400 ISK
BOOK
ONLINE &
GET
STERNATR
AVEL .COM
THE BEAUTIFUL
SOUTH COAST
WALK U
P TO A
GLACI
ER
BLACK SAND BEACH
WALK BEHIND SELJALANDSFOSS