Product Description

Two Warsaw intellectuals wait out World War II on a remote farm, philosophizing about the need to corrupt youth. As the middle-aged men scheme to control the lives of a farmhand and a farmer’s beautiful young daughter, they forget about the German soldiers fighting the Polish resistance nearby. Beautiful cinematography and strong, engaging performances make this film a mysterious and dark Polish classic.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #21295 in DVD
• Brand: FACETS HOME VIDEO
• Published on: 2005
• Released on: 2005-03-02
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
• Formats: AC-3, Collector's Edition, Color, Digital Sound, Director's Cut, Dolby, DVD, Import, Letterboxed, Special Edition, Subtitled, Surround Sound, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: Polish
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .35 pounds
• Running time: 152 minutes

Features

• Two Warsaw intellectuals wait out World War II on a remote farm, philosophizing about the need to corrupt youth. The middle-aged anti-heroes explore their twisted dreams and scheme to control the lives of a farmhand and a farmer's beautiful young daughter as German soldiers fight the Polish resistance just steps away. Beautiful cinematography and strong, engaging performances make this film a

Customer Reviews

Although there are a few sexy parts in this movie, it probably isn't what one thought it would be about
With a title like "Pornografia" one probably gets a lot of preconceived ideas what the movie is about. Although there are a few sexy parts in this movie, it probably isn't what one thought it would be about. It is a movie (based on a book) about two guys, Fryderyk and Witold, during the war.

The movie takes place during World War II but is not about the war. Although times of war are not normal by any means, life went on during them. People lived as normal of a life as they could and this movie, to some extent, captures that.

Fryderyk and Witold leave behind the artsy crowd of intellectuals in Warsaw they normally hang out with to visit a friend in the country. There, they meet his pretty young daughter and take a liking to her. They make a wager among themselves that they can have her become interested in Karol, the hired young man who helps tend the farm. It isn't an easy task as she has a fiancée but that only makes it more interesting for them.

I have to admit I really like Jan Jakub Kolski's films. Although "Pornografia" is a bit different than Kolski's other films, it does have a few things in common with his other work. It has close up scenes of nature (animals or insects) and his wife plays a leading role. They also have a quality to them that can only be described as beautiful.

What makes the film captivating is its play on the senses in this psychological drama. On the one hand, the film is artistic and beautiful, and on the other, it is almost mystical. Together, they provide a truly extraordinary cinematographic experience. "Pornografia" is dramatic and at times emotional, but always filled with an intangible mysterious flair.

extremely slow and extremely beautiful
You never know what to expect from a foreign film. Most of "Made in USA" flicks are quite predictable. Here you'd expect that at least the name of it will give you some idea what it is all about. Not so.
There are practically no sex, no nudity at all, and definitely no pornography in this movie. It is extremely slow and extremely beautiful. Have a drink and some quality slow food with it (not popcorn or chips - say, frozen raspberries and very bitter chocolate). It is mesmerizing watching all these sounds and visions of Polish countryside, Polish old farts drinking and smoking and talking (not much) and drinking again. There are some beautiful young bodies but they are clean and decent and underexposed and made more desirable this way. Somewhere after long watching I got bored of meditation and lost interest and as soon as it happened - the show came to a fast and (literally) bloody end.
They have a holocaust parallel theme but it is not "into your face" so it is wouldn't overkill as many films do with it now.
Take your time and try to watch it in one piece (remember, it is more than 2 hours).

"The Chemistry Of Love" ~ A Modern Mephistopheles
Note: Polish with English subtitles.

Fryderyk (Krzysztof Majehrzak) and Witold (Adam Ferency) are two of the few remaining intellectuals left in Warsaw during WWII. Witold suggests they visit an old friend of his in the countryside and wait out the war in peace and quiet.

Soon after arriving at the farm of Hipolit and Maria they discover a new set of problems and personalities to explore within the household and village against the backdrop of distant gunfire and the occassional German solider or two in search of supplies.

Both men find themselves perversely attracted to Hipolit and Maria's attractive teenage daughter Henia (Sandra Samos). Fryderyk and Witold begin to play a dangerous mental game with "the simple" villagers that will change the destinies of all involved. Soon the emotional confllict within the household becomes just as deadly as the war raging around the Polish countryside.

Krzysztof Majchrzak has both the look and the personality to play the part of the Mephistopheles-like Fryderyk. Tall, slender and very angular with a rather long, crooked nose. His overt unattractiveness seems to go unnoticed due to his glib conversational skills and expert piano playing. Atheistic, ammoral and at times antagonistic, he still somehow manages to sexually attract the young Catholic women in the house. He draws the young girls to him like a mythic Pan playing his flute.

Sandras Samos is also a wonderful treat as Henia. Her seemingly pure innocence slowly transforms before your eyes as she comes under the spell of Fryderyk and Witold. She's a veritable feast for the eyes.

A little slow here and there but overall rewarding with several excellent performances!