🎬 Golem (1980)

Piotr Szulkin | 1980 | Poland | 93’ | EN subtitles

Kafkaesque, full of poetic language, cryptic messages and eeriness, this is a rarely screened flick by a cult Polish director, Piotr Szulkin. In Golem, he merges satire with surrealism and explores themes of humanity, individuality, brainwashed society and blind obedience. Szulkin manages to convey the messages, that would usually fall under censorship and criticism in 1970s Poland, due to the enigmatic nature and blurry storyline of the film. Golem is considered to be the first film from the critically acclaimed tetralogy consisting of The War of the Worlds: Next Century (1981), O-Bi, O-Ba: The End of Civilisation (1985), Ga-ga: Glory to the Heroes (1986).

Decades after the disaster caused by a nuclear war, scientists try to recreate humanity by experimenting with socially maladjusted individuals. Pernat (M. Walczewski), a middle-aged man, a victim of the experiment, returns to his attic, devoid of memory and sense of identity. In the same tenement house, a demonic neighbour burns people out of clay. Pernat is still under the observation of scientists and security services. As a result of conversations with his neighbours, interrogations and propaganda, he develops a desire to rebel.