The White Bear

(Biały niedźwiedź)


1959   >   psychological/ war/ drama

The film examines the relation of an executioner and his victim, confronting two attitudes: a Jew fighting for his life and a German who will decide about his life or death.

Winter during the war in 1942. A group of Jews escape from the transport headed for a concentration camp. One of them – Henryk Fogiel is a young and educated man. His salvation is the role of a polar bear that tourists make souvenir photos with from Zakopane. His safe hideaway is lost when German mayor Von Hennenberg purchases the bear and unmasks Henryk. The German guarantees him safety in return for Henryk telling him about his internal struggles in a life-threatening situation. He becomes a toy in his hands but also a partner for serious disputes. A misunderstanding leads to the death of a girl trying to save Henryk.


Crew:

director
Jerzy Zarzycki
script
Robert Azderball, Jerzy Broszkiewicz,
Stefan Matyjaszkiewicz, Konrad Nałęcki,
Jerzy Zarzycki
d.o.p.
Stefan Matyjaszkiewicz
designer
Jerzy Skrzepiński, Maria Szafran
editor
Tomira Ancuta, Maria Karpowicz
music
Stanisław Wisłocki
cast
Gustaw Holoubek, Stanisław Milski,
Adam Pawlikowski, Teresa Tuszyńska,
Stanisław Mikulski, Emil Karewicz

Awards:

Edinburgh
Distinction (Edinburgh International Film Festival)
Materials: SD
Length: 90’

Media