A special presentation of a rarely-shown but masterful film about the legendary Polish-Jewish pediatrician and educator Henryk Goldszmit (1878-1942), far better known as Janusz Korczak, the pseudonym he used in writing stories and articles to put himself through medical school. He was a pioneer advocate of children’s rights whose progressive methodologies, proclaimed on his own pre-war radio program and practiced in his two orphanages, made him a controversial figure. His dedication to staying with his 200 orphans when they were moved into the Warsaw Ghetto and then transported to the gas chambers of Treblinka earned Korczak something close to sainthood in both Poland and Israel. Wajda’s respectfully – but uncharacteristically – understated approach, as well as his poetically lyrical ending, have made this a controversial film for some. (Screenplay by Agnieszka Holland, Poland, 1990, black and white, 115 min.) “Much like the man it honors, Andrzej Wajda's "Korczak" maintains a steely surface tranquility in the face of unspeakable events. From time to time, the Polish film suddenly speaks out in anger, then catches itself, as if children might be listening.” – Vincent Canby, The New York Times, April 12, 1991
Annette
Insdorf,
professor of film at Columbia University and a leading expert on Polish
films, will discuss Janusz Korczak’s place in Polish history as well as
the importance of this project for Andrzej Wajda, and the problems he
faced both in its production and in its mixed reception. >>> MORE ON JANUSZ KORCZAK >>>MORE ON ANDRZEJ WAJDA
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