SPECIAL EVENTS

DYRYGENT

1979 / 97 min / color

While studying in New York on a scholarship, young violinist Marta (Krystyna Janda) meets the famous conductor John Lasocki (John Gielgud), who had a torrid love affair with her mother many years earlier. The meeting stirs up old memories of passionate feelings in Lasocki. He decides to come to Poland to conduct a performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony in Marta’s hometown. Her husband, the ambitious and somewhat naive Adam (Andrzej Seweryn) is the conductor of the local orchestra. At first he sees Lasocki’s visit as an opportunity to further his own ambitions, but he can’t help but notice Marta’s fascination with the great master, and he becomes increasingly jealous. Wajda’s film, based on a short story by Andrzej Kijowski, portrays the strained relationships between people who consider music their greatest passion and pursuit in life. The director examines their attitudes and ideals, making the character portrayed by Andrzej Seweryn (who won a Silver Bear in Berlin for this role) the most tragic of the three. The Orchestra Conductor was appreciated by Ingmar Bergman himself, who included it in his list of top eleven most impressive films.

• Berlin IFF – Silver Bear for Best Actor (Andrzej Seweryn);
• San Sebastián IFF – FIPRESCI Prize, OCIC Award

The partner of special event is BNP Paribas.