"On the one hand, we had great filmic spectacles that brought in big audiences, adults as well as primary and secondary school students. On the other hand, there were attempts to create contemporary Polish film"

Andrzej Wajda’s observation presents an important tension in the development of Polish cinema during his era. On the one hand, Polish filmmakers and studios were producing grand, visually spectacular films that could captivate wide audiences. These productions didn’t just appeal to adults but also managed to draw in young people, including students in primary and secondary schools. Such spectacles were likely designed to unite viewers through shared national stories, historical epics, or visually engaging entertainment, perhaps shaped by external cultural influences or by a desire for commercial success and mass appeal.

At the same time, a different impulse was present. There were efforts among Polish filmmakers to pursue a more “contemporary” cinema, focusing on the realities, experiences, and issues unique to modern Poland. These films would be less concerned with extravaganza and more involved in seeking out authentic representations of Polish life: addressing social change, grappling with political questions, and capturing the everyday struggles and aspirations of the people. Such attempts would often be experimental, personal, or reflective, emphasizing artistry and relevance over mass entertainment.

The clash or coexistence between these two approaches defined the direction Polish film would take. The popularity and draw of big spectacles risked overshadowing or diluting the authenticity and boldness needed for “contemporary” art, while focusing solely on contemporary themes risked alienating mainstream audiences who craved escapism or tradition. Wajda’s remark encapsulates this duality: a film culture at a crossroads between the commercial and the artistic, the populist and the progressive. This balance is one that makers of national cinema around the world continually navigate, and it has uniquely shaped the legacy of Polish film, fostering both international hits and a tradition of deeply meaningful, socially resonant works.