A retrospective dedicated to Helena Grossówna to be shown during TOFIFEST to celebrate a Year of Brave Women in Kujawsko-Pomorskie!
Helena Grossówna, a great star of Polish cinema from the pre-war period, was born in Toruń. To commemorate her 120th birthday and on the occasion of making the year 2024 a Year of Brave Women in Kujawsko-Pomorskie (such a resolution was adopted by the local government assembly), we are going to show you a selection of films featuring Helena Grossówna.
She was a native of Toruń, a magnificent artist, and participant of the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. She played both in film and theatre. On the screen, you can see her alongside Eugeniusz Bodo, for example. Helena Grossówna is not only a well-known figure among people leaving in the region of Kujawsko-Pomorskie, but also a celebrity among enthusiasts of Polish cinema, and an author of timeless songs, such as ‘Ach, jak przyjemnie’. As part of this special film section, we intend to bring the audience of Tofifest closer to a number of unique films in which she was featured, taking you on a sentimental journey full of joy and emotions.
‘Dodek na froncie’ is a true comedy of errors, which takes its beginning from an alternative take on the outbreak of the First World War.
In ‘Królowa przedmieścia’ directed by Eugeniusz Bodo, beautiful Mania falls in love with Zygmunt, a count and artist, who is also in love with her. Unfortunately, their love affair must suffer a lot of obstacles.
‘Paweł i Gaweł’, features Helena Grossówna and Eugeniusz Bodo in the main roles. Both protagonists must bear financial difficulties, which they try to overcome by engaging in arts and innovations.
In ‘Piętro wyżej / Upstairs’, we follow the story of Hipolit, lover of classical music, Henryk, an enthusiast of popular music, and a niece of the latter. Seeing their ups and downs, you are in for a lot of humour, romance, and a variety of music.
‘Zapomniana melodia / The Forgotten Melody’, as the very title suggest, is a song composed for Helenka, by Stefan, who is head over heels with her. Much to their surprise, the song will have a great impact on their fate. And that is exactly the film in which people heard the song ‘Ach, jak przyjemnie’ performed by Helena Grossówna for the very first time.
Finally, the film ‘O dwóch takich, co ukradli księżyc / The Two Who Stole the Moon’ is a story about mischievous twins, who set off on a journey to sell the Moon and make themselves rich.
Included in the section:
- Dodek na froncie, dir. by Michał Waszyński, Poland, 1936, 81’
- Piętro wyżej / Upstairs, dir. by Leon Trystan, Poland, 1937, 84’
- Królowa przedmieścia, dir. by Eugeniusz Bodo, Poland, 1938, 75’
- Paweł i Gaweł, dir. by Mieczysław Krawicz, Poland, 1938, 82’
- Zapomniana melodia / The Forgotten Melody, dir. by Konrad Tom, Jan Fethke, Poland, 1938, 82’
- O dwóch takich, co ukradli księżyc / The Two Who Stole the Moon, dir. by Jan Batory, Poland, 1962, 80’
