Poland in Tanzania

The “Wajda at 100” mini film festival was organised to mark the 100th anniversary of Andrzej Wajda’s birth and the 10th anniversary of his death. Audiences had the opportunity to see two important works by the acclaimed Polish director – Danton (1983) and Man of Marble (1977).

The first evening, dedicated to Danton, was opened by Sergiusz Wolski, Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Dar es Salaam, who introduced the audience to Wajda’s work and his significance for Polish cinema. The Ambassador of France to Tanzania, Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer, also addressed the audience, referring to the historical context of the film and the long-standing ties and cooperation between Poland and France. Following the screening, a discussion with Habibu Diliwa and Polish filmmaker Adam Karbowniak explored the film, the art of storytelling and contemporary cinematic language.

The festival concluded with a screening of Man of Marble – one of the most important films in Wajda’s body of work and a landmark of Polish cinema. The film follows Agnieszka, a young filmmaker investigating the story of Mateusz Birkut. Her search for the truth becomes a starting point for Wajda’s reflection on memory, truth and the ways in which history is represented.

Both screenings offered an opportunity to discover more about the work of one of Poland’s most distinguished directors, while also opening up a broader conversation about the role of cinema in telling stories and shaping collective memory.

The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Dar es Salaam would like to thank everyone who attended the screenings, as well as Alliance Française de Dar es Salaam, for its cooperation in making the “Wajda at 100” festival possible.