Mateusz Biziorek – a Creative Film Production graduate – made the film “Woman of Marble” as part of his diploma thesis, which featured Krystyna Janda herself.
Krystyna Janda is a renowned Polish actress and director, recognized for her significant contributions to Polish cinema and theater. She is regarded as one of Poland’s most influential and respected actresses. Her extensive body of work and her contributions to both theater and film have left a lasting impact on Polish culture.
What’s more, the premiere of the production took place in Warsaw, at the Teatr Polonia established by the Krystyna Janda Foundation for Culture.
Explain to us, please, what your movie is about?
Mateusz Biziorek: The starting point of my movie “Woman of Marble” is the film “Man of Marble” by Andrzej Wajda. It’s the story of a film student, Mateusz, who also works at a local TV station and tries to convince his supervisor, the program director, that his graduation film will feature Krystyna Janda. Of course, the program director rebuffs him, explaining that the idea is ridiculous and that he should take up “normal” stories of “ordinary” people. The main character, however, sets off for Warsaw. On the way, he meets a curator at the National Museum, and also meets a forgotten diva of the theater. Finally, he reaches the Teatr Polonia and meets Krystyna Janda. But how the conversation with Janda went for him I don’t know 🙂
Of such interesting facts, I seriously worked at a local TV station, and the programmer was really played by my boss, the program director, who is much nicer in real life than in the movie.
What was the biggest source of inspiration for you while working on your thesis movie?
Mateusz Biziorek: Of course, Krystyna Janda and the film “Man of Marble” by Andrzej Wajda. But I also drew from myself, from a very strong desire within me to create this movie. I remember how, for a long time, I felt that I had to watch “Man of Marble”. I trust my intuition, so I turned on the movie, and turned it off after the famous scene in the corridor, because I already knew what kind of movie I wanted to make and that it had to feature Krystyna Janda.
What were your biggest challenges while working on this film?
Mateusz Biziorek: Well, that’s what I thought, convincing Krystyna Janda to appear in the movie 🙂
And what was the process of actually working with Krystyna Janda and establishing collaboration with her? Was it a difficult process?
Mateusz Biziorek: This is a secret 🙂
And let it remain one, and can you talk about a particularly memorable moment from working on this project?
Mateusz Biziorek: The whole process of working on the movie was special for me, but probably two moments were the most important for me. The meeting with Alona Szostak and the meeting with Krystyna Janda. Two totally magical meetings on the set and a huge honor.
The premiere of the movie at the Teatr Polonia is a huge honor. What were your feelings when you found out that your movie would be shown there?
Mateusz Biziorek: It was a dream come true for me, such a complement to my film, and I can’t imagine a better place for the premiere of “Woman of Marble” than the Teatr Polonia.
What were the reactions of your loved ones and Krystyna Janda herself to the final result of the movie? How did the audience react to your movie? Did you receive any particular comments that were memorable to you?
Mateusz Biziorek: My loved ones were happy and touched. Krystyna Janda liked the movie very much, by the way, it was a surreal feeling to sit next to Krystyna at the premiere and watch my movie. The audience’s reactions during the viewing were dreamlike. Very lively, spontaneous, they laughed where they “should” have laughed 🙂
Do you already have any projects in the pipeline or started that you could tell us about?
Mateusz Bizorek: I’m writing something there and we’ll see what comes out of it.
In that case, we are waiting for more projects 🙂 Of course, we cannot end this interview without questions about your adventure with studies. What made you choose just Creative Film Production?
Mateusz Biziorek: There has never been such a course before in Poznan and with such lecturers. First of all, I was convinced by the staff, which was at the highest level. I didn’t have to go to Lodz or Katowice for Film Production, because I had it locally. I also had the great fortune and pleasure of working with Joanna Malicka, who was my supervisor and is now my good friend. While working on my thesis film, Asia supported me a lot, but I also learned a lot from her, and I am still learning.
What advice would you give to students who are just starting out in film production?
Mateusz Biziorek: Follow your intuition, take as much as you can from the lecturers and don’t let go. Good luck!
We congratulate Mateusz on the production as well as the premiere itself at the Teatr Polonia. We look forward to further successes, which we will be happy to share with you!
Dear students, you too can create, act and achieve your goals – all this at Collegium Da Vinci – the place for the curious!
photo: private archive of Mateusz Biziorek
photo: private archive of Mateusz Biziorek
photo: private archive of Mateusz Biziorek
photo: private archive of Mateusz Biziorek