Gdynia Film Festival opens with restored classic The Deluge

Director Jerzy Hoffman (L) and actor Daniel Olbrychski (R) at the opening of the 39th Gdynia Film Festival. Photo: PAP/Adam Warzawa

“The fact that the film has been a success was influenced by the talent of the author of the book, Henryk Sienkiewicz, and the wonderful actors,” said director Jerzy Hoffman in a self-effacing speech.

For Poles, Sienkiewicz's trilogy, which is set in the 17th Century and recalls a succession of wars, including a Cossack uprising in the east followed by two foreign invasions, enjoys a standing similar to Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers in France, chock-full of duelling noblemen and derring-do.

Image: press materials

“We're bringing The Deluge to a new audience, as forty years have passed, and a huge number of people have only had the chance of seeing it on television screens,” Hoffman said.

Many of the film's original cast walked down the red carpet once again on Monday, including lead Daniel Olbrychski.

The actor expressed delight that the film continues to enjoy success after 40 years, and praised the “flawless” qualities of the restored version.

Meanwhile, 13 Polish films are vying for the Golden Lions in the Main Competition of the festival.

Among the favourites for the award is Jan Komasa's Warsaw 44, an eagerly anticipated movie about the 1944 Warsaw Rising against the Nazi German occupiers.

For a preview of what's in store at the festival, click on the accompanying link for an interview with artistic director Michal Oleszczyk.

The 39th Film Gdynia Film Festival runs until 20 September. (nh)

Source: IAR