The Mountain

Poland1964documentary14'Pokaz specjalny (2018)

Maria Kownacka’s book entitled “A School Beneath the Clouds” inspired Slesicki to make this unique piece. Fascinated by her story about a village school situated high in the mountains, he set out on a quest to find it. “I travelled all around the Zywiec and Nowy Sacz districts”, he said just before shooting the film. “Eventually, somewhere near Piwniczna, I managed to find the school and the area where my film is going to be set. The working title is “The School”. It will not be a documentary but a tale about human perseverance and the strange force that makes one fulfill one’s duty notwithstanding the conditions.” The director’s future wife played the role of the teacher. The film was shot over two consecutive winters in Zaczerszczyk, where Slesicki returned to make “Sloping Fields” several years later. The final outcome was an extraordinary film about a ‘strongwoman’. It made a big impression on a film critic, Janusz Skwara, who wrote, “Like all pictures by Slesicki, the film contains both natural beauty and reflection upon human determination – quiet heroism unseen by anyone – a Conradian sense of duty. The film is completely silent – natural sounds and noises serve as the sole commentary. The protagonist’s struggle takes place in peaceful and quiet surroundings, which accentuates its dramatic meaning.” The first part of the movie shows a teacher who , with great afford, through snowdrifts and blizzard, climbs a mountain to a log cabin converted into a school. She passes a postman and highlanders skiing down, then quenches her thirst with water from a mountain spring. When she finally arrives at the school, lights up the stove and tales books out of her nag it becomes clear that nobody is going to come to the school today. The only indication that this is the end if the 20th century is a portable radio which is broadcasting a play for third-grade pupils based on a tale by Oscar Wilde. It is not until the next day that the school fills with children. This time they are the ones waiting for the teacher. “The Mountain” received Grand Prix at the International Mountain Film Festival in Trent.