In this extended interview, Polish publicist Krzystof Varga talks to the famous Polish director about films, craftsmanship, life, and everything else you can only imagine. 

Have you ever asked yourself why Jerzy Stuhr is the main hero of Seksmisja? Or why does Vabank take place in the 1930s? Krzysztof Varga sat down with Juliusz Machulski to pursue the answers to all those almost metaphysical questions. And, he succeeded: the effect is 3174 filmy mojego życia, one huge conversation that almost looks like an inadvertent biography.

What might be needed is a further editorial insight into this book. There are a couple of repetitions in each chapter, or some topics (that have already been discussed earlier) are once again brought back without any particular reason. From time to time, it somewhat destroys our immersion, but these are only tiny little things in the overall intriguing publication, which spans from Machulski’s childhood to shooting the second part of Vinci.

Nonetheless, this vast interview with one of the greatest Polish film directors of all time is a must-read. Not only for his biggest aficionados, but also for anyone interested in our history, film criticism, and what constituted a director like Machulski as an artist. Machulski shares the list of his favourite films of all time, discusses his relationship with his late father, Jan Machulski, and shares some afterthoughts on his broad career.

Besides, Machulski explores the distinction between being a filmmaker and a producer, as his company was responsible for producing such classics as Psy, W ciemności and Plac Zbawiciela. One can tell that for every chapter he has at least ten (no more, no less!) aces in his sleeve, ready to be brought up during his conversation with Varga. And, we want to learn everything from Machulski. The director’s head is like a storage of forgotten tales and anecdotes, which is now suddenly opened by his interviewer. And we’re here to hear them all, even if it means reading this book at two in the morning. 

Photo: Wydawnictwo Sonia Draga

4/5 stars

Author: Jan Tracz