Original subtitles

presents

AFTERIMAGE

Starring

Here comes our late Varsovian!

Excuse me, where can I find Professor Strzeminski?

Professor Strzeminski...

Ah... there!

He's seen you, he'll be right here.

But how will he get here?

Like this!

Madman!

My god, are you alright?

Aren't you going to help a cripple?

I'm sorry. I...

I am Wladyslaw Strzeminski and I'm alright.

Welcome to the Lodz School of Fine Arts field trip.

I've gone off the rails because of you, sir.

I know, Jadwiga, it's my fault.

- What is your name? - Hanna.

Miss Hanna.

The image has to be what you absorb

from this...

from this.

When we gaze at an object, we get its reflection in our eye.

When we stop looking at it

and move our gaze elsewhere

an afterimage of the object remains in the eye.

A trace of the object with the same shape but the opposite colour.

An afterimage.

Afterimages...

are the colours of the inside of the eye which looks at an object.

Because a person really only sees what he is aware of.

How did he lose his arm and leg?

He's never told us,

but it's better not to ask.

December 1948

The first Congress of the Polish United Workers' Party has just closed.

We shall implement the momentous resolutions of the Congress.

We will fight for their realisation

and mobilise the masses around them.

Bringing Poland closer to socialism

is the sacred duty of a Party member.

Comrades, there's no doubt

that to achieve the great tasks set by the Congress

we can unite the broadest masses of the people.

Long live the Polish nation.

Long live its heroic working class.

Long live the Polish United Workers' Party.

Look!

Jesus Christ!

What have you done?

I live here, I'm a painter.

You're coming with us.

Stand up!

Name.

Strzeminski.

- First name? - Wladyslaw.

- Date and place of birth? - 21 November 1893, in Minsk.

A Soviet citizen.

A Polish citizen.

Profession?

Painter.

Artist.

Place of work?

The State High School of Fine Arts in Lodz,

lecturer in art history.

So, citizen Strzeminski...

You'll have a trip to the Security Office. And from there God knows where.

So now God rules at the Security Office?

Good morning, Professor.

My office, please.

Well...

We have a problem with you.

With me?

With you.

Professor, artist.

You know full well that the country is going in a new direction

and you're opposed to it.

In tsarist Russia, you'd be packed off to Siberia for doing that.

But we can't do that.

Unfortunately, we have to educate.

I'm not against you, I just have different views about art.

Let me read out to you something I have here.

Right, what do we have here?

What do we have here?

This is it.

The line between politics and art has disappeared

as it turned out that the villainy in both is the monopoly of the same evil group.

Let's liquidate them without mercy,

not just because they took over the palaces of art and the press,

but above all because they blocked fairness with all of their actions,

because they're destroying not only the arts, but above all the man.

That's why painters, poets and writers have already ceased to be just artists.

You have become, whether you wanted to or not,

soldiers on the political... yes, on the political part of the joint front.

Do you recognize this?

I wrote it.

In autumn 1934, I think.

It's not about you, it's about the Sanation.

Well, if it was 1934 for sure it's not about us.

Although we were in the USSR then, so it could have been about us.

Mister Strzeminski...

you have talent, you have a way with words, I couldn't write it better myself.

So why do you not want to join the changes

instead of sabotaging our ideological line?

After all, you used to be at the heart of the revolution and now what?

Mister Strzeminski...

You're not stupid.

But believe me, I'm not stupid either.

You're standing at a crossroads

and you can't stand here any longer.

Whichever path you choose...

you bring that fate upon yourself.

Wladyslaw Strzeminski and Katarzyna Kobro are avant-garde artists.

In St. Petersburg, he worked with Malevich, an outstanding, world-famous artist,

in Moscow, after the revolution, he took part in exhibitions.

After returning to Poland, he settled in Lodz, where he, Henryk Stazewski,

the well-known poet Julian Przybos and others formed the a. r. group,

which stands for Revolutionary Artists.

In this room you can see the artist's pieces from this period of his work...

Strzeminski also designed this room, called the Neoplastic Room.

Here you can see unusual sculptures by Katarzyna Kobro,

the creator of the concept of infinite space,

please note the relationship between these sculptures and modern architecture...

You may come closer, just don't touch the exhibits.

Let's move on, please.

Nika!

- Are Strzeminski and Kobro your parents? - Yes, they are.

But they are not together.

Good morning.

And why is it so empty here?

- It's Wednesday. - I know it's Wednesday, so what?

They are all in the hall

for Professor Strzeminski's lecture.

And you?

I'm looking for the dean's office.

- There, on your right. - Thank you.

Seeing is not a single, unspecified, abstract act,

but an action, a process of viewing at a certain moment.

Nature has its own "centres of interest" that draw greater attention.

We look at it while moving from one point of interest to another.

When we gaze at a Van Gogh landscape, we see the identical, repeated divisions.

How should we look at nature to see it as it was painted by Van Gogh?

And was he looking at it with a normal, natural, physiological gaze?

The look that we use?

The answer comes when we draw our glances projected onto the landscape.

Four glances along the horizon, each focusing on its own centre of interest.

So the repeated identical divisions show up in the picture

not because the "formalist" Van Gogh wished it for unknown subjective reasons

but because he accurately reproduced the process of viewing the landscape

with the four parallel, sequentially directed glances.

Comrades, colleagues!

Let me remind you that today we're hosting the Minister of Culture.

This is a lecture.

Please leave, close the door!

After the speech of Comrade Minister there will be a meeting

and a debate about our school and our artistic circles.

Please stop this class immediately

and prepare the room because in one hour we will be hosting our honourable guest!

Attendance is compulsory.

The prefects will check attendance.

And this is the realism of Van Gogh.

The realism of a living material man, a man who sees not in the abstract,

but through the living material organism of his physiological body.

Not a spiritual reception of experiences, but a physiological one.

Thank you.

And what brings the director of the Art Museum here?

Why? You don't know?

On Wednesdays I listen to the great lectures of Professor Strzeminski.

I don't know how long he will remain a professor here.

Professor!

- The Varsovian says she can type. - I moonlighted as a typist, 200 words.

Really? And what else can you do?

I can type up the "Theory of Vision", it'll take me just a few days if you dictate,

- or a week, if I do it from the notes... - Let's type up what there is...

The office has an old German typewriter,

they've got new Czech ones, but I'm not in with the secretaries...

I am. We'll try talking with them.

So Roman and I will go.

Professor, can we come round tonight?

Of course, you're all welcome.

Rector, please don't exaggerate.

Professor Strzeminski has provided great service for this city.

He created the first museum of modern art in Poland and the second in Europe.

- His position is unassailable. - You think so?

Will you stay for the meeting with the minister?

- I will. - Thank you very much.

It's very good that you're here.

It is our duty to be present wherever issues important for culture are decided.

- I'm afraid we'll be handcuffed. - Don't come outwith anything like that.

Ladies and gentlemen, today is a great day.

I warmly welcome our esteemed Minister of Culture.

The nation has the right to place its demands on artists

and one of the most basic demands is that the deeper layers of a work of art,

its objective, its intentions

should meet the needs of the people,

not to raise doubts, when what they need is enthusiasm,

belief in victory,

not to apotheosise depression,

when the people want to live and work.

The next steps in the Party's offensive in the creative circles

are set out by the following demands:

of socialist realism in art,

of the fight against "cosmopolitanism and servility to Western culture"

with the use of the achievements of Soviet artists and their ties with the masses.

The Party will defend socialist realism

despite the fact that it can cause schematicism,

but that should not trouble us.

We need to revolt against formalistic and cynical art which lacks ideology,

against decadent capitalist art, and against American cosmopolitanism.

I therefore repeat with all my might:

Art that proclaims a lack of ideology is the enemy of the working man!

Minister, may we first pose the question: what is a work of art?

For me, a work of art is about a specific form rather than flat realism.

I've always said

I'd fight for the model of art which is most suitable for a given period,

because art is a laboratory of forms.

In art, the only ones who matter are those who pave the way for new forms.

New art should demand respect not for its usefulness but for its superiority.

But I see that now you seek to lose the boundary between art

and politics,

and what's worse it has become the interest of one group.

Thank you.

Oh, today you're much later, Professor.

Move it.

- Here you are. - There's the money for last month.

- Bon Appetit. - Thank you.

If anyone disagrees with this statement "Strzeminski spreads ferment at the school,

he undermines the authority of other lecturers, and promotes pure formalism

at a time when art is supposed to stimulate society into action",

please raise your hands.

No-one. In that case, I propose the motion of condemnation of Professor Strzeminski

and I put it to a vote. Who's in favour?

I'm counting on your responsibility, comrades.

I think we need more time to think.

I am very sorry Rector, but...

as his student, I know how much he devotes to his students.

This is about his ideological stance.

Our general line of fighting for socialist realism

was outlined by the great Marxist classics: by Lenin, and by Stalin's words.

Yes, of course I understand that, but I still have my doubts.

In this room are gathered teachers and also members of the Party.

Comrade, why don't you show more confidence in our collective experience?

I'd advise you to change your position.

I repeat the vote. Who is in favour?

- Roman! - Where are you going?

When the storm winds blow

No-one has fear in their hearts

Because we know that Stalin... No...

Because we know that Stalin...

is watching us with hope

From the Kremlin.

You smoke too much.

Dawn breaks with His smile

All worries disappear

We happily move to great deeds

The people,

workers and peasants.

Dad, I don't have any place at school to learn this.

Oh, and there's this.

- What is it? - A prescription.

- For you? - No, for mom.

The money's in my coat pocket. Take it.

All of it?

Bye-bye.

Why don't you go in?

[Class cancelled]

- Why are my classes cancelled? - We received a letter about you.

Why are my classes canceled?

In accordance with paragraph 6 of the employment contracts with staff,

I order the immediate termination of the contract with Professor Strzeminski

with effect from 31 March 1950.

At the same time, Professor Strzeminski will be granted paid leave

for the period up to the date of termination.

Artists have leave?

Paid?

That is the decision of Comrade Minister.

We'd like to continue studies with you, not in the school.

Who will give you your papers if you leave the school?

The school is a good place. I co-founded it.

What is happening now is just the wind of history.

It will calm down and pass.

Don't do anything stupid.

Ok, but what happens now, Professor?

What? I do not know.

New times are coming. Nothing will be like it was before.

- Goodbye, Professor. - Goodbye.

He spoke like a prophet.

- You're so in love, you're blind to the world. - He's just opened my eyes to it.

Hania, Hania...

Relax, I won't disturb you.

You smoke too much.

I am not hungry.

Oh, dad!

I made these pancakes.

Not mom.

One winter she pulled you on a sledge.

You remember that?

You were four... five then.

It's good it was winter.

She pulled the sledge across the ice.

You were sitting, and your crutches lay on the sledge.

Then she was so tired she had no strength to sledge downhill with me.

Take it away.

Mum used to sew this up for you.

And now?

What is that letter?

That one?

My sentence.

They fired you from work.

Wladyslaw Strzeminski is the most important Polish artist of the 20th century.

You poets have such a remarkable tendency for ecstasy and exaggeration.

Alright, alright.

After the revolution

Strzeminski worked with Kandinsky, Chagall and Malevich.

Has-been artists! For us, just renegades and traitors.

He is a lecturer, students love him.

I appreciate your gestures of friendship towards Strzeminski

but please answer me one question.

As an artist,

Comrade Przybos,

whose side are you really on?

- Well... on yours. - On 'yours'?

Or... 'ours'?

Remember that in these times there's only one choice!

But in art, that is death.

- In art, different worlds must collide. - But the world is already determined.

Everyone's fighting on the ideological front. Why would we need Strzeminski?

All these "formalisms" and "avant-gardes" of his,

these "unisms" and "afterimages".

This does not build socialism.

Right...

You've been stuck in Switzerland as our ambassador for too long.

I think you'll better understand the modern world,

when you visit the Great Exhibition of Soviet Painting.

Very enlightening.

And you, Mr. Strzeminski,

you know,

you should be hit by a tram!

- Good morning, Professor. - Hello, Professor.

- Hello. - Hello.

Professor, please take a look.

Professor,

these are our pictures

for Saturday's exhibition at the YMCA.

It's the only place we can exhibit.

I suppose so...

But what do you think about them?

Every choice is good

because it is yours.

To find your way, don't paint like Mondrian, because he has already done it.

Even Mondrian should not paint like Mondrian.

- Don't even paint like Strzeminski. - Even you should not paint like Strzeminski.

You're right there!

Professor, you were assistant to Malevich,

I mean he must have known that his abstractions would be incomprehensible,

incomprehensible to people.

Malevich closed himself off in combinations of geometric forms.

You can admire all these works,

but only to reject them and seek your own form of expression.

But how to find it?

The choice is always up to you.

In art and love you can only give what you have.

And here you have a different answer:

We expect artists' paintings to be deeply realistic,

showing the world in a revolutionary way, in the spirit of socialist demands.

Art that proclaims a lack of ideology or indifference to social issues

is basically art of an ideology that's hostile to progress,

to every working man. There's never been and never will be any neutral art.

That's what they wrote after the National Festival of Fine Arts.

I also used to believe the only purpose of art was to serve social change.

But that was in 1919.

I still believed in the revolution.

- So now you're not in favour of realism? - Well...

I think that you need to paint in harmony with yourself,

if I haven't convinced you, then do something else.

No, no!

Goodbye, Professor!

- Thank you, goodbye. - Goodbye, Professor!

Goodbye!

Hanka?

You were expecting someone.

Somebody else...

Your students keep coming to you?

They are.

Nika, put it away.

Mom said they don't know what they are doing.

Who?

Those who fired you.

You remember that?

Mom used to sew these.

She sold them at the market.

I took it for her. I'll take it to her at the hospital.

So that she remembers

that it used to be even worse.

The October Revolution led to the triumph of socialism.

It showed the masses all over the world can free themselves from the exploiters

and build a new life to ensure the universal development of man.

Sit!

Nika Strzeminska.

Come with me.

At her mother's funeral in a red coat!

I have no other coat.

That's it, enough!

Back to the car.

That's what I could expect.

What are you doing here?

I have been billeted to this apartment.

And me? What am I supposed to do?

You're not an orphan, are you? You have a father.

Besides, you've already lived on... Karolewska St.?

In the children's home.

These are sculptures by the famous sculptor,

Katarzyna Kobro,

my mother.

I'll pick them up tomorrow.

Please don't move them.

That's the way that children see.

My daughter drew it when she was six.

It's contour vision.

Everyone sees differently.

The purpose of art is to dictate its rights on reality.

And yet, they dictate to us.

I'll type this down.

If it won't cause you any trouble.

So you already know, Professor?

About what?

Your "Theory of Vision" is banned at the School.

Yes, the rector is doing everything to remove every last trace of you!

I don't want you to risk anything. They can expel you.

Professor!

What's happened?

When?

The day before yesterday.

- Why didn't I know? - She didn't want you to be at the funeral.

Pity.

I would put blue flowers on her grave.

Blue ones?

Why that colour?

She had such blue eyes.

Beautiful ones.

You also have the same.

Can I stay here?

After the liberation, she bought it at the Green Market for 60 zlotys.

Remember?

She baptized you in an Orthodox church.

Not my fault.

Then you christened me in a Catholic one.

So which am I in the end?

Sir, can we start?

Yes, we can.

Ladies and gentlemen, please leave the room.

But why? I've only just come in.

- These are our orders. Please leave. - But what customs are these?

Please do as I say. Come in.

Hurry up, come on!

You know what to do.

This way, faster.

Sir, what's going on?

I'm sorry, Roza, these are the orders I got.

Liquidate the Neoplastic Room immediately!

New times are coming.

Professor, don't you remember me?

Roza Saltzman, right?

So you do remember!

Well, you were my student.

Professor, I...

I'm going away for good.

To Israel.

If you could entrust me with but a few...

Have you got those collages "To My Friends, Jews"?

Professor, I've just been in the Museum of Art,

to say goodbye to your work, but I could not.

Do you know what is happening there?

The Neoplastic Room has been liquidated.

I saw it with my own eyes.

Professor...

What you created should be safe...

Then the world will have access to it...

[Association of Polish Artists and Designers - Lodz]

Hello, Professor.

Good morning.

I would like to ask for my advance payment and food stamps.

Morning, Professor.

What advance?

Here's the documentation for the design approved by the contractor.

It's a bas-relief for the "Exotic" cafe.

Professor, you're not entitled to any advance,

because the commission has not yet approved the design.

May I have your membership ID?

Professor, it's invalid, it's not stamped.

You have been unlawfully using an outdated ID of the Association.

I've been a member since it was founded.

I pay my membership fees.

The President?

The President is not here today.

Professor, in January you were excluded from the Association.

We sent you a letter with the decision. Didn't you receive it?

Now, there will be a problem with those fees.

You'll have to write to the President to request a refund.

Do you want to see a sample request letter?

Professor?

Here you are.

Professor, please eat or it will go cold again...

Someone has sent the Association's commission after you.

They're questioning your work. But we'll show them your inspirations.

That it shows the years of colonial exploitation.

- That's the title I gave it. - Konrad hopes it'll convince them.

- Why are you here? - Let me through.

What's going on here? What are you doing?!

As the commission of the Artists' Association we made the decision to liquidate your work.

Listen, citizen Strzeminski.

Stop!

Minutes of the review on the acceptance of the decor of the "Exotic" cafe in Lodz.

Gentlemen, don't destroy this. I'll cover it with this curtain.

Get out of here.

...of the decor of the "Exotic" cafe in Lodz on Piotrkowska St.

- Gentlemen, it's a work of art. - I said, get out of here.

The Commission composed of Jerzy Grygiel, Romuald Jackowski,

Jerzy Mazurczyk, Ignacy Guttman has decided as follows:

After inspecting the site of the premises of the "Exotic" cafe,

The commission does not accept the decor made with polychrome reliefs.

Liquidation of the bas-relief is recommended under the supervision of the representatives

of the Regional Board of the Association of Polish Artists and Designers in Lodz.

In the opinion of the review commission, the character of the cafe's decor

is contrary to current standards in the arts

resulting from socialist realism. Signed...

Nonsense! I have entitled this project "Colonial Exploitation".

These are original works of African art...

- That's why the cafe is called "Exotic". - An English book, huh?

Imperialists might like it...

Professor, you disagree with the review committee made up of your colleagues.

So whose side are you on?

On mine.

On mine.

Keep going.

Get back to work!

I got an A.

In Polish.

The only one in the class.

I'll make you some fresh.

I have a ream of paper.

Coffee.

I also bought these on the way.

Dad, you smoke too much.

It's come loose again.

Do you know where the scissors are?

Where is the icon?

In the drawer.

I'm going back to the girls' home, it's closer to school.

There is no room for me here.

She will have a hard life.

Contrasts of colours, of textures,

the clash of shapes,

they bring time into the area of the image.

Slower, Professor.

In each composition

each part has an awareness of the whole.

...has an awareness of...

Come in.

Julian!

Welcome!

Sorry, we're done for today.

- This is the famous poet? - Yes.

How do you do? Hanna Borowska.

Julian.

- Let me take that for you. - Thank you very much.

Forgive me, I've run out of coffee.

Wladyslaw...

Here you are.

I know how much coffee you use.

Why don't I make you some coffee?

Thank you.

You have your faithful students,

who remember about you.

Young people are always against the existing world.

Wladyslaw...

I say this with envy.

Although over all these years your art has changed,

you're still yourself.

I write most of my poetry for the drawer, they won't print it as it's 'too vague'.

They praise the ones who suck up.

They're silent about the real artists.

I spoke about this with Milosz.

He also believes that an artist who can't speak with a full voice should be silent.

- This is 'Wave 49' calling! - Artists can be killed in two ways:

either by talking about them too much or not at all.

The Party is the force

that has led our country out of the ruins and economic backwardness.

It is the backbone and the brain of the nation.

The Party had the power to make such revolutionary changes in Poland

only because it is the expression and the organiser...

- Coffee. - ...of the purest will of millions.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

This is shown

by the growing respect for the Party

- among independents and even among people... - Let's drink.

...shaped differently.

Like in the old days, when we didn't need to whisper.

Many Poles may never study any Marxist work.

But absolutely everyone now knows,

that what the Party promises always comes true

and that what the Party is aiming at is right.

- Professor... - Good afternoon.

Professor, can Roman come up here?

Roman?

He's waiting downstairs for your decision.

He feels like a traitor.

- They kicked him out of the school. - What for?

He wrote his father was a janitor, but he was really a governor.

They even threw in the theft of the typewriter.

- You didn't give it back? - I did, but you know how it is.

Hello, Professor.

We have good news.

There's work for you.

At a school?

At the PSS Co-op.

- But why there? - Because they're looking for decorators.

And everywhere I asked they know... Damn!

They know they may have problems with you. But there your name doesn't mean anything.

I didn't mean... that...

Alright, I'll try.

As we agreed.

The Municipal Committee is pushing us to hire veterans, even better, disabled ones.

- The authorities are promoting humanism. - So he fits perfectly.

He's got an arm and leg missing and he can handle a paintbrush.

And he's the best in the business.

Right.

Where did you lose your arm and leg? During the war?

Yes.

But the first one.

Take a seat.

How will you do it? With just one hand?

I can present my work.

Roman has vouched for you.

He said that you have some idea about this work...

That's right.

Well, I don't know...

What don't you know?

- You seem to fit perfectly... - Exactly.

But... but if...

But what if... It's harder to fire an invalid...

Fill this in.

At the payroll office you can get your food stamps and an advance.

Just don't hang around the office here...

Art isn't meant to be decoration.

Art is meant to be a discovery.

The process of receiving art is the process of accumulating visual awareness.

A person really only sees what he is aware of,

but visual awareness does not develop by itself automatically.

Have we got that?

- Of vision... - Yes.

We did not receive our vision fully-formed and unchanging.

Hang on, wait!

It's here.

Our eye was formed as a result of a long biological evolution,

from lower quality forms to what it is now.

Excuse me.

Where can I find Mr Strzeminski?

- And who is he? What does he do here? - He's an artist.

- This isn't a circus, no artists here. - He's a painter.

Over there, in the studio.

How did you find me?

Miss Hanka told me.

Does she have a key?

Why?

The students are working on my book there.

Will you wait for me?

- Where did you get it? - The school gave it to us...

I have to wear it for the march.

But then I have to give it back.

I'm going for a get-together...

You know, Dad, I'm going to carry the banner.

Are you coming?

That's how Red Lodz celebrates May Day.

Arm in arm,

row upon row, over 300 thousand employees of factories and institutions,

proud to carry out their May Day duties.

Men and women from textile plants,

railwaymen,

sportspeople,

peasants from all over the region

as well as scientists and artists,

town hall clerks, doctors, teachers

all together showing their willingness to fight for peace and prosperity.

Above their heads, red flags and red-and-white flags.

Watched over by the portraits of Dzerzhinsky, Marchlewski, Kasprzak, Warynski,

their great predecessors in the battle for social liberation.

Mr Strzemienski...

- Strzeminski. - You're wanted at payroll.

I'm sorry, but I am forced to let you go with immediate effect.

Yes...

Please, do sit down.

It's not your fault. However...

May I ask why?

I did something wrong?

No, you did nothing wrong...

On the contrary, you were the best worker in the studio.

The others were even fighting over your work.

Polish Railways wanted to take you from us permanently.

But unfortunately we got an anonymous letter,

that you don't have the papers to be an artist.

We checked at the Association of Polish Artists and Designers.

And indeed your privileges have been revoked.

It's our obligation now. Here you go.

Never mind the money, but I won't have the food stamps.

Haven't you heard?

In Communism, those who don't work shall not eat...

I wonder what will happen with them...

I Will find out.

Personally, I admire your work.

That Neoplastic Room...

Have you really met Marc Chagall?

I'll go to the studio to get my things.

I'll wait here.

- Hello. - Hello.

Can I have some oils and tempera?

Right away.

We sell oils at 80.

No, so tempera then, please.

We have tempera at 12.

But we also have some at 8.

From those at 8, can I have burnt sienna,

bright ochre, golden ochre,

Parisian blue,

and titanium white?

Right.

Parisian blue...

Can I see your membership ID, please?

I don't have one.

Then I can't sell you any paints.

Have they gone crazy? I've been buying here for years!

Sir, this is a shop for artists and you don't have the ID.

Now we have some for the cinema.

"Vladimir Ilyich Lenin Speaks At the Putiiov Metalworks in 1917",

a painting by artists Serov, Podkovyrin and Belayev.

"The Smolny Revolution Headquarters" by Leningrad artist Babasuk.

"For the Rule of the Soviets" called his work sculptor Faidish-Krandievski from Moscow.

"The New Apartment" by artist Laktionov.

A series of lithographs by young artist Pinkisevitch-

- We made a bad choice. - "Where the Capitalist Predators Rule."

"In New York."

"In West Germany."

"On the Roads of India. "

Why did we leave before the movie?

You always liked the cinema.

You need new shoes.

- I'll give you the money. - There's no need.

We'll get new shoes at the girls' home. They promised us.

Sir...

You don't need to queue.

And for you?

100g of that.

And the stamps?

- I haven't got any... - Next!

- I haven't worked for 6 months... - Next!

Yes?

- Any giblets left? - Yes.

200g.

May I?

- It's almost midnight... - Time for conspirators.

Come in...

Are you going away?

Didn't you think I was moving in, Professor?

For a moment...

- And would that be so strange? - Absurd.

- So you haven't returned it? - No.

Why not, for God's sake? Roman was thrown out of school for that.

Also thrown out of the Party as the son of a pre-war governor.

In fact, as my accomplice he knew about everything.

It was good for him, he may turn out a decent person, and not a red dirtbag.

But why?

Because he respects and admires you above all else

and I have to complete your life's work.

I love you, ever since I saw you on that field trip.

Well...

And I thought that it couldn't get any worse.

So, Mr. Strzeminski?

We meet again.

You called me here.

Mr Strzeminski...

we agreed once that you're standing at a crossroads

and that you cannot stay there any longer.

We have arrested that student of yours.

That typewriter was also used for anti-government leaflets.

I assure you that we have ways of making her tell us everything.

You can help her,

and I can help you.

I will provide you with a studio in the School,

conditions for creative work, exhibitions and publications.

Existence.

You'll take care of your daughter.

And what you have to offer...

what is it?

I don't know...

With the last two months which you owe,

altogether it's 1,400.

I'm sorry, but I don't have any...

When you pay up, then we'll talk.

I don't shit money, sir.

He's had a few too many.

Sir?

Are you alright?

Do you need some help?

Sir?

I'll call an ambulance!

- Where's the phone? - There.

Excuse me, I need to call an ambulance.

Go ahead.

To the drunk tank?

To the hospital, it's serious.

Don't forget the crutches!

Julian...

My days are numbered. I'm dying.

I'd like to have a few more months to complete the "Theory of Vision"...

A couple of weeks...

So I can leave something behind...

It's good you're here...

Show me your shoes. Come on.

First one.

Second one.

They don't leak?

When he saw those shoes,

- he was so glad! - A friend lent me those for the visit.

And the dress.

So he wouldn't worry about me...

But don't tell him that, sir.

Doctor!

I've got some Rimifon.

How did you get it?

- It's not available here... - I visit Switzerland.

We'll use it...

but...

I'm afraid it's too late for that...

Excuse me.

What are you doing?

- You have to stay... - No.

Not now... Not yet.

Professor, you have advanced tuberculosis. It's no joke.

I have something important to do...

Move in with me.

From your place it's too far.

From Karolewska it's closer to school.

Nobody visits me anymore.

The 67 paintings that you gave me in 1945 for the first exhibition

are here in storage.

I will put these here too.

They will be safe.

Safe, but no one will see them here...

Sir, I will take any job...

We have to live somehow...

Mr. Wladyslaw, I know the situation, but...

I can't.

I'd love to, but I can't...

Please believe me. I can't.

Good morning.

- Who have you sent me here? - Here you are.

But he isn't up to it!

- Madam, he's a specialist. - A specialist!

- No leg, no arm, a specialist! - Please!

A specialist! In limping maybe!

26 December 1952

Yes?

Can I stay here for a while?

What is it, child?

My father died on this bed.

His name was Wladyslaw Strzeminski.

Of course.