Antyk w polskim filmie fabularnym. Między literaturą, archeologią a sztuką

Abstract

Antiquity in Polish films: between literature, archaeology and art

Our contemporary aesthetic image of Antiquity is often shaped by films that bring to life Ancient history, great figures and myths. The most important role here was played by Hollywood blockbusters (from the 1950s and 1960s and the beginning of the 21st century) and European productions that were influenced by them. Polish cinema was surprisingly less active in this area, basing films only on adaptations of literature. This is undoubtedly a consequence of the budgetary requirements of production when the action takes place in Ancient times. The achievements of Polish films in this area are within a range indicated on the one hand by Pharaoh by Jerzy Kawalerowicz, a counter-Hollywood production from 1965, and on the other hand by Quo vadis by the same director from 2001. Among these works there is also a less well-known screen adaptation of Thais by Anatole France directed by Ryszard Ber from 1983, and the ballet film De Aegypto directed by Jolanta Ptaszyńska from 1995. Antiquity is also incidentally present in other films, but it is not a dominant trend in Polish historical film. At this point it is worth discussing the reception of Antiquity in Polish film and its relations not only with literature, but also with both Ancient and modern art (mainly in the 19th century), which often combined Antiquity with a cinematic vision of Antiquity.