A Generation

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George G For all its obvious faults, in particular the fussy, relentlessly pedagogic tone of its agit-prop message, Pokolenie presents a passionate defense of (the possibility of) a multiethnic, multi-confessional Poland, then in the process of being wiped out. And by "then" I mean both the moment of the filming (mid-1950s) and the moment of the action (1943). Parts of the film are definitely groan-worthy (like the long disquisition on use value and profit, copied and pasted from Das Kapital, and dumbed down) but other parts will definitely make you think.... and stay with you. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review s r A story set to appeal to one's communist sensibilities, but it is well made and a great time capsule for WW2 Poland. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review eric b "A Generation" is the first part of director Andrzej Wajda's "war trilogy," but isn't quite as strong as "Ashes and Diamonds" and "Kanal." The setting is Poland under German occupation during WWII. An ordinary-looking lad named Stach gets a job as an apprentice in a woodworking shop, which gives the director a chance to push socialist ideology and emphasize issues of worker exploitation (a standard Wajda concern, apparently). Stach becomes infatuated with a pretty Resistance activist, so he joins up with the underground. Some friends come along for the ride, including a pointy-nosed kid in short pants who has a nicer haircut than everyone else. Yup, it's Roman Polanski. (Have patience - he doesn't enter until about the 45-minute mark.) There's not much else to say about the plot beyond cautioning that if you give weapons to naive youths, there are bound to be complications. The B&W cinematography and stirring orchestral score are much more sophisticated than what's typically found in a director's first feature, and every face seems eloquently lit with perfect subtlety. Also, the opening sequence is a long take, and who doesn't love a movie that begins with a long take? However, the story lacks universality - knowledge of political history seems required - and feels a little thin, even considering the film's modest, 83-minute length. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review john m There's some really impressive shots in here as well as a very practical tone that's very rare for this time, even though the story's not entirely coherent. If anything, it's worth watching to see a 20 year old Roman Polanski running about. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member sounds amature but i really enjoyed it some of senes i was about to lose my faith of movie's soul, but it was on again the guys were miesrible and mature in war but thats sounds real " Sell down my fearther" the ending was epic, i thought Monsior Wajda wanna get you in the sickness reality directly Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member Gritty and realistic. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews

A Generation

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