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© 2026 The Couch Critic
Browse 55 movies from Filmoteka Narodowa – Instytut Audiowizualny
The love between Mateusz Krol, a Kashubian boy, and Marita von Krauss, a Prussian aristocrat in whose family home he is taken in when his mother dies, grows and matures thorough the years, while Kashubia, the northern Polish region where they live, suffers the consequences of the tragedies that will ravage Europe from the beginning of the 20th century until the end of the World War II.
Sep 2018
19 year old Irena Gut is promoted to housekeeper in the home of a highly respected Nazi officer in Poland when she finds out that the Jewish ghetto is about to be liquidated. Determined to help twelve Jewish workers, she decides to shelter them in the safest place she can think of – the basement of the German Major's house. Over the next eight months, Irena uses her wit, humour and immense courage to hide her friends as long as possible.
Apr 2024
The year is 1939. The world is falling into chaos. Thousands of Poles, held by the Russians in a former monastery, are subjected to brutal indoctrination. An ambitious enemy agent makes it a point of honour to break the resistance of one of them. He is a young, world-famous pianist, respected by his fellow prisoners. His capitulation may result in winning many others over to the enemy's side. An insidious game begins, full of sophisticated manipulation, threats and promises. Can the young artist, a loving father and husband, win a duel with an agent backed by the power and perfidy of the Russian system?
Feb 2026
Kacper, who works as a foreman, has an affair with the wife of his best friend Oskar, also a miner. To meet his mistress, he assigns Oskar to the distant and dangerous coal seams. As the lovers enjoy their rendezvous, Oskar gets buried underground, so they throw themselves into a rescue mission.
Oct 2019
A mix of fantasy and sci-fi, the film entwines Navajo lore with a reclusive trillionaire and his would-be biographer, creating a fascinating, mysterious and idiosyncratic vision of America.
Sep 2020
The fate of three Catholic priests were linked together through tragic events a few years back. Every year, on the anniversary of the catastrophe, they gather to celebrate their survival of the tragedy. Lisowski works at a curia in a big city, building his career while dreaming of the Vatican. Standing in his way, Mordowicz, the archbishop, a luxurious church dignitary who is making use of his political connections to build the largest sanctuary in Poland. Trybus, is a parish priest and often submits to human weaknesses. Kukuła also is not doing well. Despite his passion for faith, he is losing the trust of his flock. Soon, through new tragic events, the paths of the three priests will cross again.
After fun-loving metalhead Jacek is disfigured in an accident at work, he becomes the first person in Poland to receive a face transplant. This leads to his status as a media spectacle and martyr, all while battling ensuing identity issues as a consequence.
Mar 2018
Biographical documentary film presenting the silhouette and artistic path of the outstanding actor Daniel Olbrychski. The narrative of the main character is confronted with his colleagues and friends, in contemporary interviews, including: with Krystyna Janda, Jerzy Hoffman, Krzysztof Zanussi, Volker Schlondorff and Adam Michnik. The archival materials will include statements and excerpts from the realization of scenes from Andrzej Wajda's films. The film roles of the main character are intertwined with his private life.
Aug 2025
Jun 2026
A universal story about entering adulthood in difficult times, growing up to the community. The great history is the background for the love story unfolding in the foreground: Józek, a deserter from the tsarist army who joins the emerging Legions, an intelligence agent for the I Brigade and Women’s Leage member – Ola, and Tadek, her fiancée, a member of Shooting Team.
Sep 2019
Despite the anti-Semitic campaign launched by the Polish People's Government in the late 1960s, director Jerzy Hoffman finishes working on the film Pan Wołodyjowski. It becomes the ticket to the production of Potop, the most expensive film in the history of Polish cinematography. During his work, the director not only has to deal with mounting production problems, the distrust of the People's Government, but also with the expectations of millions of Poles.
Nov 2024
Kaja Miller is a police officer that is abducted and abused on one of her missions. Eight years later she meets her former boss Nowicki, who takes her to Gdynia with the task of exposing a large criminal circuit.
Nov 2019
Outraged by corruption in his small town, a family man runs for mayor but discovers that staying true to his principles may come at a devastating cost.
Nov 2023
Recreation of facts and stories of both experts and people who met Maximilian Kolbe and were shocked by his words and actions.
Oct 2017
Dec 2025
An exploration of the dazzling rise and mysterious downfall of French actor and filmmaker Max Linder (1883-1925), the world’s first international film star and mentor to British actor and filmmaker Charlie Chaplin.
Jan 2026
When the elder brother, Andrzej, suddenly falls ill, despite their differences and a wall of misunderstandings that has grown between them, his younger brother is taking it upon himself to care for his brother in need.
Oct 2018
Fleeing from despair after losing those dearest to him, the hero hides in a safe land of memories, where time stands still and all those dear to him are alive.
Nov 2020
Inspired by the tale of Telemachus in Homer’s Odyssey, young Adam’s mother is persecuted by the state police because his father fought in WWII as a pilot before disappearing. Adam fantasizes about his father and one day, while watching Godard’s Contempt in the cinema, finds himself transported into the dressing room of Brigitte Bardot and into a world where he meets a coterie of her contemporary celebrities.
Oct 2022
The documentary dedicated to Andrzej Munk, a leading creator of the Polish Film School, was created based on unique archival materials. They made up a story about a man immersed in history, his artistic evolution and the emotions accompanying this process.
May 2025