THE PROMISED LAND

Cast
Daniel Olbrychski (Karol Borowiecki), Wojciech Pszoniak (Moritz Welt), Andrzej Seweryn (Maks Baum),
Kalina Jędrusik (Lucy Zucker), Anna Nehrebecka (Anka), Bożena Dykiel (Mada Müller)

Karol Borowiecki, a young Polish nobleman, is the managing engineer at the Bucholz textile factory. Ruthless in his career pursuits and unconcerned with the traditions of his, now financially declined, family, Borowiecki plans to set up his own factory with the help of his friends Max Baum, the German heir to an old handloom factory, and Moritz Welt, an independent Jewish businessman. Borowiecki’s affair with Lucy Zucker, the wife of a wealthy factory owner, gives him advance notice of a change in cotton tariffs and helps Welt to make a killing on the Hamburg futures market. But more money has to be found; all three characters put aside their pride to raise the necessary capital.

On the day of the factory opening, Borowiecki denies his affair with Zucker’s wife to her jealous husband who makes him swear on a picture of the Madonna. Borowiecki then accompanies Lucy on her exile to Berlin. However Zucker has his wife followed, which confirms the affair. Zucker takes revenge on Borowiecki by burning down his brand new, uninsured factory. Borowiecki and his friends are ruined. A few years later, Borowiecki has recovered financially by marrying Mada Müller, a rich heiress, and he now owns his own factory. When his factory is threatened by a workers’ strike, Borowiecki must decide whether or not to open fire on the demonstrating workers. When rock is thrown into the room where Borowiecki and others are gathered, Borowiecki, never known to show human compassion, authorizes the police to open fire on the strikers.

ANDRZEJ WAJDA
Born in 1926 in Suwałki, died on October 9, 2016 in Warsaw. Director and cowriter. Studied Painting at the Fine Arts Academy in Krakow (1946-50), graduated from Film Directing at the Łódź Film School (1960). Head of “X” Film Studio (1972-1983), president of Polish Filmmakers’ Association (1973-1983), director of Teatr Powszechny in Warsaw (1989-1990), senator of Republic of Poland (1989-1991). Member of Institut de France – Academie des Beaux-Arts, BAFTA, European Film Academy and American Film Academy. Recipient of hundreds of film awards and awards for lifetime achievement. In 2000 he received an Oscar as the Honorary Award for five decades of extraordinary film direction. Awarded honorary degrees at numerous universities, including Washington, Bologna, Cracow, Warsaw, Moscow and Gdansk, as well as Fine Arts Academy in Warsaw, Łódź Film School and WGIK in Moscow. Honorary citizen of many Polish cities. Founder (2002) and lecturer of the Andrzej Wajda Master School of Film Directing.

SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY
2016 Afterimage (Powidoki)
2013 Walesa. Man of Hope (Wałęsa człowiek z nadziei)
2009 Sweet Rush (Tatarak)
2007 Katyń; Oscar nomination, Best Foreign Language ‘08
2002 The Revenge (Zemsta)
1999 Pan Tadeusz
1996 Miss Nobody (Panna Nikt)
1995 Holy Week (Wielki tydzień)
1990 Korczak
1985 A Chronicle of Amorous Accidents (Kronika wypadków miłosnych)
1982 Danton
1981 Man of Iron (Człowiek z żelaza); Grand Prix in Cannes ’81, Oscar nomination, Best Foreign Language ‘82
1979 The Conductor (Dyrygent); FIPRESCI Award in San Sebastian ’80
The Maids of Wilko (Panny z Wilka); Oscar nomination, Best Foreign Language ‘80
1978 Rough Treatment (Bez znieczulenia)
1976 Man of Marble (Człowiek z marmuru); FIPRESCI Award in Cannes ‘78
1975 The Promised Land (Ziemia obiecana); Oscar nomination, Best Foreign Film ’76, Gold Hugo at Chicago International Film Festival ’75, Gold Medal at Moscow Film Festival ’75, Grand Prize at Valladolid Film Festival ’75
1972 The Wedding (Wesele)
1970 Landscape After the Battle (Krajobraz po bitwie)
The Birch Wood (Brzezina)
1968 Everything For Sale (Wszystko na sprzedaż)
1965 Ashes (Popioły)
1959 Lotna
1958 Ashes and Diamonds (Popiół i diament); FIPRESCI Award in Venice ’59
1957 Canal (Kanał); Special Jury Award in Cannes ’57
1954 Generation (Pokolenie)