Reception of Polish Films in View of the Affect Theory: “Walesa. Man of Hope” by Andrzej Wajda (2013) and “Rose” by Wojciech Smarzowski (2011)

Janina Falkowska

Abstract

The focus of the article is the reception of Polish films abroad, especially the ones with the historical com- ponent as its building part. While it seems obvious that the less you know about a particular country, the less you understand of the film and the message it communicates, there are some fascinating rules which govern the processes of understanding or lack of understanding that merit careful scrutiny. According to the affect theory, the reception of Polish films like Rose, Walesa. Man of Hope, Ashes and Diamonds, and other, depends not only on a cognitive processing of factual information conveyed by the film, but also on a complex negotiation of the spectator’s own meanings generated by the knowledge of facts and their interpretations as well as the facts pertinent to his/her own social and political background and education and emotional sensitivity. Falkowska uses British New Wave from 1960s as a starting point for the discussion of films with historical content and then concentrates on Walesa. Man of Hope (dir. Andrzej Wajda, 2013), Ashes and Diamonds (dir. Andrzej Wajda, 1957) and Rose (dir. Wojciech Smarzowski, 2011). The majority of her argument focuses on the interpretation of Walesa. Man of Hope, the film which has raised some emotions in Poland while receiving a mild response elsewhere.