Przypadek

English title: Blind Chance

Also known as: (le) Hasard

Genre: psychological drama

With: Boguslaw Linda (Witold ‟Witek” Dlugosz), Tadeusz Lomnicki (Werner), Zbigniew Zapasiewicz (Adam), Boguslawa Pawelec (Czuszka), Marzena Trybala (Werka), Jacek Borkowski (Marek), Jacek Sas-Uhrynowski (Daniel), Monika Gozdzik (Olga), Zygmunt Hubner (the Dean)

Director: Krzysztof Kieslowski

Screenplay: Krzysztof Kieslowski

Release: 1987

Studio: P.P. Film Polski

Rating: -

MBiS score: 8.6/10 

 

‟Without that bitterness, that hope... life would be lamentable.” 

 

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Story-line: BLIND CHANCE opens with a simple premise: after the death of his father, a medical student named Witek undergoes a ‟crisis of faith”, quits school and decides to go to Warsaw. Once he reaches the train station, however, fate takes over and leads him through different versions of his life (lasting 60, 40 and 20 minutes respectively on screen). 

Pluses: a charismatic cast anchored by Boguslaw Linda, an astute and admirably structured screenplay that features new and recurring characters who evolve depending on Witek's circumstances, sober but artistic production values, vitally important editing (Elzbieta Kurkowska), Wojciech Kilar’s beautiful musical theme reminiscent of Michel Legrand's finer compositions.

Minuses: if the opening scenes confuse you, focus on Witek. Personally, I didn't grasp all of the screenplay's subtleties due to my ignorance of recent Polish history but, even then, I was fascinated by Witek's adventures in politics, religion, education and love.      

Comments: in his films, Krzysztof Kieslowski (THREE COLORS, DEKALOG) didn't follow a formula or try to dazzle audiences but aimed for enlightenment and artistic expression (I guess he was also a patient man since authorities apparently delayed this film's release for 6 years by reason of its political content). In true Kieslowski fashion, BLIND CHANCE is unusual, challenging and eloquent in its demonstration of the vagaries of existence (and the heavy hand of communist rulers in this particular case). The more you think about this film, the more powerful it gets. 

 

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Cry Freedom

Genre: political thriller

With: Kevin Kline (Donald Woods), Denzel Washington (Stephen or ‟Steve” Biko), Penelope Wilton (Wendy Woods), Josette Simon (Doctor Ramphele), Kevin McNally (Ken), Sophie Mgcina (Evalina), John Matshikiza (Mapetla), Wabei Siyolwe (Tenjy), Zakes Mokae (Father Kani), John Thaw (Kruger), John Hargreaves (Bruce), Timothy West (De Wet), Ian Richardson (State Prosecutor), Michael Turner (Judge Boshoff), Tommy Buson (Tami)

Director: Richard Attenborough

Screenplay: John Briley (based on two books by Donald Woods)

Release: 1987

Studio: Marble Arch Productions, Universal Pictures

Rating: PG

MBiS score: 8.6/10 

 

‟It’s my country. I go where I like.”

 

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Story-line: South Africa, November 1975. When White soldiers and policemen storm the Crossroads settlement to brutally evict its Black ‟squatters”, the editor of the Daily Dispatch, Donald Woods, sees the incident as one more opportunity to portray Black leader Steve Biko as a ‟sensationalist who spreads hatred”. Before long, Woods will get to meet this hate-monger face to face... and begin to understand what apartheid truly means to those on the other side of the fence.      

Pluses: superb acting by Kevin Kline and especially Denzel Washington as the larger-than-life Steve Biko, a relentless, high-quality screenplay that treats its real-life subject with thoroughness and intelligence, fine direction (notably in group scenes), expert cinematography (Ronnie Taylor) and editing (Lesley Walker), an irreproachable musical score by George Fenton and Jonas Gwangwa.

Minuses: some may argue that the film depicts race issues mainly through the eyes of a white man but this does not detract from its human value. Both Woods and Biko have crucial lessons to teach us.

Comments: there are thousands of good movies in our cinematic universe but few are so impressive that watching them for even a minute draws you in and convinces you of their importance. CRY FREEDOM is one such accomplishment and I am not ashamed to say that I fought back tears more than once while seeing it. At times monstrous and Kafkaesque as a depiction of a despicable rule, Richard Attenborough’s work is also noble and constructive. I will always treasure this monument to human freedom and dignity. 

 

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