One of the most important Polish films of all time, ASHES AND DIAMONDS takes place on the last day of WWII. In a small town in Poland, resistance fighter Maciek (Zbigniew Cybulski, the “James Dean of Poland”) has been tasked with assassinating a communist official to help solidify Poland’s post-war government. When the mission goes awry, he meets Krystyna, a captivating barmaid who offers him a fleeting vision of a life beyond conflict, where intimacy and daily routine replace violence and military discipline. Using man as metaphor for country, Wajda delivers an urgent and electrifying vision of Poland at a time of transition. 

Awards & Nominations

Winner - FIPRESCI Prize, Venice Film Festival
Nominee - Best Film, Best Actor (Zbigniew Cybulski), BAFTA Awards

Chicago European Union Film Festival Spotlight: Poland | It is our pleasure, with the generous support of the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago, to present two weeks of the best new and classic films from Poland and Polish filmmakers. Join us March 7–20, as we present 20 films, including 13 new titles—and 12 Chicago premieres—alongside classics from filmmakers including Krzysztof Kieślowski, Agnieszka Holland, and Andrzej Wajda. Meet filmmakers visiting us from Poland, and enjoy taste from the country through special events and at concessions.

The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu