Visit of a President

(Odwiedziny prezydenta)


1961   >   psychological/ drama

A deeply touching story about a few-year-old boy who, in vain, seeks warmth and tenderness. The screenplay is based on Jerzy Zawieyski’s novel that was inspired by a real story of a child treated in a psychiatric facility.

Jacek, who feels very lonely, is brought up by a wealthy and well-educated family. He’s a child from his father’s first marriage. Seemingly he has everything; plenty of toys, clean clothes. Unfortunately, the family focus on the second child that is the apple of their eye. The boy continuously reminds his father about his failed marriage. Jacek escapes reality into his imaginary world where he meets the “President of Wenderdycja” who looks like his father but doesn’t behave like him. Worried, his parents take him to the doctor, which makes him feel even more lonely. When Jacek returns from another trip into his imaginary world, he ends up crying on his bed full of toys.


Crew:

director
Jan Batory
script
Jerzy Zawieyski
d.o.p.
Antoni Wójtowicz
designer
Jerzy Skrzepiński
editor
Krystyna Batory
music
Adam Walaciński
cast
Irena Malkiewicz, Beata Tyszkiewicz,
Leon Niemczyk, Jan Machulski,
Małgorzata Lorentowicz, Stanisław Mikulski

Awards:

IFF, San Sebastian
OCIC Award (International Catholic Organization for Cinema and Audiovisual), Distinction for directing (Jan Batory), Silver Shell, Award of the Spanish Film Discussion Club
IFF, Acapulco
Honorable Diploma
Materials: SD
Length: 93’

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