Suita warszawska

A poetic documentary about the Polish capital. In the 1940s, Warsaw was the symbol of the national catastrophe, but at the same time the embodiment of national pride and triumph. This film is the visualization of these emotions and consists of three parts, built up in the way of parts of a piece of music: catastrophe (adagio), revival (andante), and spring (allegro). To this end, the composer examined the rhythm of the movement of a carriage, a road sweeper, and a ballet. The musical orientation of the documentary rendered comment unnecessary. Makarczynski's film caused great commotion in Poland. The filmmaker demonstrated the artistic opportunities of the documentary which until then had rashly been regarded as being a sub-programme. Abroad, too, Suita Warszawska did very well, including the festivals at Cannes and Paris. In 1946, a special screening was even organized for President Truman in the White House. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)