Hasior

This program is an attempt to present the sources of inspiration and thought processes of Wladyslaw Hasior, an eminent but controversial artist whose work cannot be included in any traditional field of fine arts.As there is not a single word of commentary in this film and all ideas are expressed by means of picture and music, it gives everyone a chance to understand the artist’s message in his own way.In these creations, there is certainly much spectacle and emotional activity. But this is not a precise display. Every work has its own implications, shocking and tragic in many cases. The brutality of the war and the occupation, as well as the religious mysticism of the mountain people of Podhale, are the sources for this attitude toward the world. Gifted with bondless imagination, and a violent opponent of the beaten Path, he creates works completely beyond the ordinary, controversial and, for some, often incomprehensible. But he is simultaneously a philosopher and a fabulist. He has as many fans as declared opponents.In this film I have tried to show the sources of his inspiration and his way of thinking. I have not added any commentary in order to allow the images and the music to speak for themselves, so that every viewer can understand in his own way Hasior’s message.Jerzy Passendorfer was born in Wilno, Poland, in 1923. Screenwriter and director. During the Nazi Occupation, he worked with the underground theatre in Krakow. A co-founder and actor in the Theatre des Etudiants in the same city. From 1945 to 1947, a cameraman for Polish newsreels, then assistant director. In 1947, he began to study directing at the film school in Lodz. A year later, he continued his studies in Czechoslovakia, where, in 1951, he graduated with honors.He made directing debut in 1956 with an adventure film, THE TREASURE OF CAPTAIN MARTENS. In following years, he made 16 more films, a television series, and several short subjects, including THE ASSAULT, awarded the Prix FIPRESCI at San Sebastian, the gold medal at Mar del Plata, Guadalajara, Cuneo, and others: THE RETURN (mention FIPRESCI); THE BAPTISM OF FIRE and DIRECTION BERLIN (both of which won first place, Prix du Ministre de la Defense nationale): KILL THE BLACK SHEEP (Pric OCIC at San Sebastian); THE COLORS OF BATTLE (Prix du Ministre de la Culture and mention at Cuneo); THE DAY OF PURIFICATION, THE BROKEN BRIDGE, as well as the 13-part series JANOSIK. His documentary ACCOUNT OF MONTE CRISTO won the Prix Ecran d’Or and others.From 1967 to 1979, Mr. Passendorfer was artistic director of the cinematographic groups “Tor” and “Panorama” and vice-president of the Association of Polish Film Makers.From 1974 to 1979, he was the director at the Polish Institute in Vienna; he also worked in the coproduction department of Polish Television (PRT). He has been a meber of the juries at the festivals of Mar del Plata, San Sebastian, Manheim, Karlove Vary and president of jury at Aix la Chapelle, Gdsank and Cracow. For all of his artistic endeavors, he has been awarded the highest honors, both Polish and foreign.