In the fervor of electoral time, which was very intense for the editorial board, which is understandable, we have neglected culture a bit, but we are in a hurry to catch up.
We approach the substance with the greater pleasance that there is no shortage of interesting events recently, especially in the field of movie art, which is our common, editorial hobby. Adam Laughter in the erstwhile issue discussed “Guys”, considering this experimentation (an innovative production method) as highly successful, so I will not be indebted to Readers. A bit “after time”, due to the fact that it has passed a bit since the premiere, I would like to share my feelings with you about the “New Mage” produced by Netflix.
This is what the reviewers and netizens most frequently call the film. I talked about the painting with quite a few people, and almost everyone, as if intuitively called it "The fresh Mage". Interestingly, not only people who grew up watching cult (it's most likely the right word) screening George Hoffman. That's what people who are much younger than me call the film, which is surviving proof of how much the 1981 filming grew into our culture. People who frequently didn't read novels Tadeusz Dołęgi-Mostowicz, Not to mention watching the first screening of 1937. Jerzy Bińczycki, or movie by Antoni Kosiba and each of them knows where the quote “Madam, this is prof. Rafał Wilczur!” comes from. There were besides countless “memes” and anecdotes with “The Witch” in the lead or background. Over the years, the image has become an integral part of the “pop culture” associated with the November holidays! This year, only between 1 and 3 November, the movie was aired in Polish-language tv stations as many as 8 times, and in later days it was repeated! all time, however, the screening gathers a full scope of spectators at a very different age!
In view of the above, the creators of the latest movie installment “The Witch” came to face the legend, and of course there are (especially among older viewers) who will say, “The Witch is one!” I realize them, but for myself as well as for the Readers I decided to look at the subject objectively, more as a cinema lover and cultural observer than “fanboy” “The Witch”. It was not rather easy due to the fact that I love both Dolegi-Mostowicz's book and its screening directed by Jerzy Hoffman with superb creations that loved so many Poles.
To be honest, I was full of concerns erstwhile Netflix announced a “New Magistrate” putting a poster photograph on the web depicting the “new Wilczur/Kosiba” in which Leszek Lichota was incarnate. There were quite a few laughs, malice, and the gleeful question “why?” A somewhat more optimistic voice appeared after the publication of the first trailer of the film, which presented itself truly well. The movie entered the platform and came a large surprise – this is simply a truly good picture!
Having waited any time and I approached the fresh screening, earlier remembering both the book and the erstwhile version. Let me skip the 1937 adaptation immediately, due to the fact that it does not contribute anything to this review. So let's decision on to the "New Magachore" which is precisely as the predecessor from 1981 is an adaptation, not a faithful screening of the fresh of the most widely read author of the Second Republic. Tadeusz Dołęga-Mostowicz is an highly crucial figure for our environment, due to the fact that he was an acute critic of sanitation policy. It is adequate to callback his flagship work "Nicodem Dyzma's Career", which was a very direct and crushing criticism of the political and social realities of the time. In fresh years there have been plenty of legends and myths about the Second Polish Republic presented to us as “a land of milk and honey flowing”, where thanks to the political camp of Józef Piłsudski and his supporters the economy grew, the manufacture flourished and citizens lived well. Unfortunately, this is simply a mistaken idea, which demitology is found on the pages of Dołęgi-Mostowicz's books.
The “Snapper” itself deals with the problem of wellness care, which from the very beginning of the statehood of the Second Republic of Poland had to deal with the flu epidemic “Spanish” and the problem of access to universal medical care. It was not helped by the fact that in the years described by the author in Poland there were about 12 1000 doctors, and almost half of them lived in Warsaw. Additionally, the mediocre condition of roads and the deficiency of motorization (then even Romania had more cars than Poland) made it hard to scope those in need, especially in agrarian areas. That is why we have so many “markers”, or home-grown medics with better or worse (often worse) qualifications to treat people.
One of the quacks on the estates belonging to Czyński is our title hero, or superb surgeon, prof. Rafał Wilczur, who after his wife and daughter left him falls into an accident and loses his memory. As a consequence of amnesia and wandering, Antoni Kosiba goes to the country and resides in the miller's house, where he starts curing people with amazingly good results. The game of the movie and the course of events are surely well known to our Readers so I will focus on what I liked and did not like.
Director Michał Gazda, known more widely thanks to the large otherwise series "Wataha" and "Inverted", he made the only right decision in my opinion and decided to make this adaptation his own way alternatively than as a mention to Hoffman's iconic film. He knew that he could not avoid comparisons anyway, so he took the origin text as a reference. This would seem obvious, but I assure you that this is not the case, and that has been my top concern. Before my eyes, I inactive have completely unsuccessful adaptations of another Polish books produced by Netflix, i.e. “Wiedźmin” and “Mr.
"New Magachore" is an actual mention to the origin and communicative somewhat "acquainted", but successful, well presented and preserving the atmosphere of the novel. However, there are elements that I did not like and I will start with them.
First of all, I do not “buy it”, as presented by Mary Wilczur and young number Leszek Czyński. These roles cast very talented actors – Maria Kowalski and Ignacy Lissa. Unfortunately, the script has failed, and that is the "conclusion". "Marysia 2.0" is no longer "a modest, charming and bright woman from a agrarian store". She's a hit, independent girl who works in an inn with local hebrew Rossenstein (in this function large Krzysztof Dracz). At any point it becomes almost a female version of the folk stand! Of course, in those days it would be unthinkable for a young woman to work on a meal serving drunk men, as this would be considered highly abominable! Her character was simply besides sketched against the first book. Against her background, the young number Czyński appears to be a spoiled, indecisive and somewhat effeminate excuse. Both characters simply irritated me and tormented me, even though it is impossible to deny talent to young actors. They could have been as large as they were. Anna Dymna and Tomasz Stockinger in 1981, but the creators closed this road “inventing in a script” so as to transform it into a contemporary prayer.
A love communicative between Antoni Kosiba and Zoska. Again, I don't blame actors. Anna Szymanczyk with large makeup and unquestionable acting talent is great, and to Leszek Lichota I'll pass in a minute due to the fact that I think he played his best part. The creators, however, were eloquently “momentaries” which in addition had to be presented to the viewer very literally. In the book, of course, sparks between the quack and Zoska, which Hoffman's version performed phenomenally Bożena Dykiel. However, in the netflix version everything is virtually lined up, we have bed scenes, at any point our Antoni Kosiba seems to be a defiant amant, and the full ends with a wedding not only of Marys with number Czyński, but of course we have another young couple – prof. Wilczur and Zoska. Of course, this is an interesting procedure, but unfortunately it damaged the presentation of the main character and his interior conflict with amnesia.
Introduction of the criminal thread in which the doctor was active Goodplayed by Mirosław Haniszewski. The creators of prof. Wilczur's student and friend made a hidden antagonist whose motive was to take over the clinic. As if it were not adequate to introduce this theme, they decided not to solve it, leaving the viewer understatement. It's a terrible procedure I truly regret.
The downside of the film, which for me had a considerable impact on the overall reception, was the deficiency of archaic language. In fact, the actors utilized contemporary speech throughout the film, which was peculiarly devastating in the case of peasants working in the mill and the Counties of Czyński. large creations here. Isabella Kuny as Eleonora Czyńska and Mikołaj Grabowski playing number Stanislaw Czyński. True, they talk differently, more dignifiedly, and you can see that they are trying, but I definitely lacked these archaic and so characteristic “theatrical L”.
I was besides somewhat annoyed by the work of the camera in narrow frames, especially in the dialogues between characters. It is said that these “experiments with sharpening” were intended, and this is dictated by modern trends, but in my opinion it was unnecessary. With truly large actors, costumes and nicely built plans, you could shoot completely classically, which would fit the remainder of the staff. In my opinion, it was the fact that both Michał Gazda and the main operator Tomasz Augustinek They work mainly on the series and have besides "transplanted" specified solutions for the film.
That's actually all about my critical remarks. I can honestly say that these issues did not take distant the pleasance of watching the film, although they surely reduced it a bit.
Definitely the strongest point of the movie is the cast! Actors were selected very well and they played large roles. Thanks to their large work and commitment, which can be seen in each scene, they have even managed to overcome the script shortcomings. By the way, I don't know what led the producers to order the authors to compose the script, whose top success is the comedy “Letters to M.” but they besides have specified a “split” as an animated movie about Pope “Karol who became a saint.” Knowing this, I must admit that the “New Mage” inactive defended himself...
Leszek Lichota as prof. Wilczur / Antoni Kosiba is excellentOh, my God! It's truly a very heartwarming function that the actor played with full knowing of the character by putting a immense emotional charge into it. Of course, it is impossible to compete with the brilliant, monumental Wilczur, or Jerzy Bińczycki, who created 1 of the most characteristic and poignant characters in the past of Polish cinema. Lichota did not effort to beat the Polish actor – he did it in his own way and in my opinion he played the function of life. all scene involving a witch is simply a real treat! Even those moments that I think have been screenplayed. I don't know if after many years the “Lichot mark” will be as popular as Bińczycki, there most likely isn't a large chance, but the actor himself deserves a sincere admiration!
Sceneries and plans – large workOh, my God! It should be remembered that we are 2023 and it is not easy to give in the movie the climate of the Polish village from the interwar period. Here, it should be admitted that Jerzy Hoffman and his crew had the easy task due to the fact that in 1980, erstwhile they were filming, many villages in Podlasie looked about as before the war and it was adequate to clear plans from contemporary elements. At the time, young Thomas Stockinger, as number of Czyński, traveled the fields on a beautiful motorcycle of the Falcon, and maintaining the authenticity of the plans did not require large effort, as today. It must be said that the Netfllix squad achieved a truly awesome effect. You were liable for the stage. Joanna Machta. I would besides like to say that Tomasz Augustynek performs perfectly as a photograph author with broad frames.
I was besides captivated by the large music of a young generation composer Paul Lucevich. Especially in tender moments, these sounds additionally capture the viewer's heart, which is very crucial for moral dramas.
I besides enjoyed the solution with bringing the viewer up to see who the witch Antoni Kosiba is. Of course, we all know this due to the fact that in the fresh Dołęga-Mostowicz it does not make any mystery here, but the authors of the adaptation did it in specified a way that it is easy for us to feel in individual characters imagining their surprise. The court proceedings were besides interestingly resolved here. Look out! It is not the cult issue of "Madams, this is prof. Rafał Wilczur" spoken by Dr. Dobraniecki and I read quite a few comments expressing the profession for this reason. However, I would like to remind you that this conviction does not fall in the book either, and that it was (as well as the full scene of the "devaskat" by prof. Wilczur) the explanation of Jerzy Hoffman made beautifully by Piotr Fronczewski. The very conclusion of the "New Magachore", not counting the completely unnecessary love thread between Prof. Wilczur and Zośka, is even closer to the book, in my opinion, than in the 1981 adaptation.
The relations between the Countess of Eleonora and Stanisław Czyński and their boy Leszek were besides highly interesting and dramatic in the affirmative sense of the word. The parent played by Isabella Kuna was even more “turned” as a mean and possessive countess absolutely opposed to the feeling she thought might have led to a scandalous marriage! The number was “warmed” towards the book, which was besides an interesting counterweight.
What's the strongest side of the movie? The fact that it is an adaptation designed for the needs of the contemporary viewer, while not ruining the message and the climate of the origin text. Of course, the subject of Marys' relation with young Czyński was reworked and the writers had to “nanetflix”. Of course, the deficiency of archaic language can origin disappointment for the older and mediate generation of viewers. Naturally, for me and many of the MP readers “new actors” do not stand a chance with the superb creations of Bińczycki, Dymna, Stockinger, Ladysz, Barcisia (whose note bene appears in the fresh version as the butler of Czyński and works perfectly) or Fronczewski! However, this is simply a well-implemented screening that preserves the climate and the essence of the novel's message! The problems of wellness care in the II Polish Republic are even more clearly presented than in the “Old Mage”. The situation of agrarian patients and the deficiency of doctors is truly bad. The viewer besides knows where the profession of a witch came from, who was besides present in the cities of the interwar 20th century.
It is yet a screening that can encourage young people to scope for the book Dołęgi-Mostowicz and does so. I personally met with respective specified live opinions, and there are quite a few them on the Internet. From this, we should be peculiarly pleased and take part in the discussion of the film, without prejudice to modernisation procedures. In the opinion of this movie I tried to be realistic – let's be honest – to the young viewer will not disturb the fact that Marysia works in an inn! I think it's going to be a plus in reception. A generation of viewers-consumers an archaic language would prevent the movie from understanding. Unfortunately, this is what I wrote about in the text on taste shaping. This formation is simply a task for our environment and this movie can be a good asumpt.
That's why I'm glad that "New Mage" was created, and I consider this movie to be the success of Ntflix, who I'm usually a critic, though not fierce due to the fact that I see quite a few valuable proposals there.. Privately, I can share with the Readers the fact that my eight-year-old boy is simply a fan of old Polish films and we are watching them together (I think that he will be able to talk freely with his friend Engelgard in a fewer years' time), but I am besides aware that he is an exception here – yes, my fatherly pride, but inactive an exception. Antoni said "they are here and they talk like today" in view of the looks and dialogues of Mary and young Czyński. Yes, that's true, but still, this movie is defending itself and very good! We have looked at it together with pleasance and hope that there will be more specified "well-modern adaptations". Apart from all subjective feelings, the emergence of the “New Magister” shows the incredible strength of this novel, which has already experienced a 3rd adaptation – possibly not outstanding, but surely very good.
In the overall assessment, I would give a strong 7/10 here.
Bartosz Iwicki
Think Poland, No. 47-48 (19-26.11.2023)
