Animation and Philosophy: On the Cinematic Adaptation of Leszek Kołakowski’s “13 Tales from the Kingdom of Lajlonia”

Katarzyna Mąka

Abstract

Thirteen Tales From the Kingdom ofLailonia is a series of cinematic adaptations of Leszek Kołakowski’s philosophical tales. Poland’s most distinguished animation film makers have undertaken to execute the project; therefore the series is a collection of works of art differing by style and techniques. Mąka says that the most interesting film of the series is The Story of the Greatest Quarrel directed by Zbigniew Kotecki. The story about three brothers of whom each symbolizes a different life attitude is a tale of the art of a good choice which irrevocably determines the fate of the heroes. Mąka says that Kotecki’s film is also of special interest because of its intertextual dimension. The Story of the Greatest Quarrel is a direct reference to the aesthetics and subject matter of the work of Peter Bruegel. On the one hand the philosophical meaning and symbols of Bruegel’s painting overlap with the force of Kołakowski’s tale and strengthens it, but on the other hand it changes its character. Stylistic simplicity proper to the philosopher is replaced with vivid and elaborate stylistics typical for the Dutch painter. In this way The Story of the Greatest Quarrel is aimed at two audiences - its simple but fabulous philosophical truths are for children while a sophisticated aesthetic vision is for adults who will be able to identify a number of cultural references it contains.