THE BUTLER

Cast
Janusz Gajos (Bazyli Miotke), Sebastian Fabijański (Mateusz Kroll), Anna Radwan (Gerda von Krauss), Adam Woronowicz (Hermann von Krauss), Marianna Zydek (Marita von Krauss), Borys Szyc (Fryderyk von Krauss), Daniel Olbrychski (Leo von Trettow), Łukasz Simlat (Peter Schmidt), Kamilla Baar-Kochańska (Angela von Krauss), Marcel Sabat (Kurt von Krauss), Janusz Chabior (Johann von Wagner)

After his mother dies, Mateusz Krol, a Kashubian boy, is taken in by a Prussian aristocrat Gerda von Krauss, and he grows up in her palace. The daughter of the von Krausses, Marita, is the same age as Mateusz, and love blossoms between them. The boy’s godfather is Bazyli Miotke, a Kashubian patriot who fights in Versailles for Kashubia to have its place on the map of Poland. Miotke goes on to build the symbol of Kashubian economic success, the city of Gdynia. The Treaty of Versailles grants Poland its independence, but it also makes the von Krauss family lose their property and influence. All the protagonists can feel that the world as they know it is about to change drastically. Hostility and hatred increase among the Kashubs, Poles, and Germans. When WWII breaks out, the Nazis murder civilians In the Piaśnica Forest, which becomes the first genocide of the war.

FILIP BAJON
Born in Poznań in 1947. Bajon is a film director, producer and screenwriter, theatre director and novelist. Graduated from the Law Department of the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (1970) and from the Film Directing Department of the National Film School in Łódź (1974). Director of the KADR Film Studio. A lecturer of directing at the Silesian University in Katowice and at National Film School in Łódź, where he was a Dean of the Directing Department 2008-16. Recipient of many film awards. Member of the Polish Filmmaker Association. In the 90’s, head of the DOM Film Studio. Since 2015 – a director of the KADR Film Studio. Honored with the Order of Polonia Restituta (2002) and gold medal Gloria Artis (2014).

FILMOGRAPHY
2018    The Butler (Kamerdyner)
2015    Damaged (Panie Dulskie)
2010    War of Love (Śluby panieńskie)
2006    The Foundation (Fundacja)
2005    Gas [in] Solidarity, Solidarity (Benzyna [w] Solidarność, solidarność)
2001    The Spring to Come (Przedwiośnie)
1996    Poznan 56 (Poznań 56)
1993    It’s Better to Be Beautiful and Rich (Lepiej być piękną i bogatą)
1992    Sauna
1991    Une Petite Vie Tranquille
1990    Pension Sonnenschein
1989    Ball at Koluszki Train Station (Bal na dworcu w Koluszkach)
1986    Magnate (Magnat)
1984    Engagement
1981    Pendulum (Wahadełko)
1979    Aria for the Athlete (Aria dla atlety)
1978    Green Earth (Zielona ziemia)
1977    The World Record (Rekord świata)
1979    Comeback (Powrót)