The name of Krzysztof Zanussi does not usually suggest anything less than a serious, analytical piece, with moral, social, religious, ethical and political aspects thrown all into one. He may be one of the best-known Polish directors, but his films are considered far too intellectual for large audiences. No wonder that in earlier satires like Camouflage he played safe and used academic backgrounds for their plots.
In Full Gallop, however, seems to indicate a change of register, being more relaxed and personal. "I may even appear on screen at the end to say it is all based on personal memories," Zanussi told a Polish journalist prior to Cannes. And it is difficult not to observe similarities between the film's themes and Zanussi's own experiences navigating the troublesome waters of the late Communist regime, and managing to insert critical observations into films that somehow went past the censor without too much trouble - in most cases.
Hubert, a boy in his early teens whose father has defected to the West, is sent away by his mother in the early 50s from his native town to the capital, Warsaw, to live with an aristocratic aunt of a certain age (played by veteran Zanussi acolyte, Maja Komorowska). Once there, he discovers the distinguished lady hates everything bolshevik with a passion yet is astute enough to manipulate her enemies and get her own way, despite party directives to the contrary. For example, she organises a riding club - a highly unproletarian occupation - and makes sure an outing takes place on 1 May, while the rest of the nation celebrates Labour Day. Under the guidance of his aunt, Hubert learns how to cope with the system and secure his own niche in it.
"I am trying to understand the dilemma we faced at that time," says Zanussi. "I am not trying to judge, because the jury has been out on that period for some time. I am conscious all of us have been part of what went on then, though no doubt we had the alternative to act differently and not become involved - and by doing so, embrace a heroism that could have been self-destructive if pursued to its logical conclusion. The film is made from the perspective of a victim; a child trying to make sense of the strange world in which he lives."
Edna Fainaru
Prod Co: Tor Film Studios
Dir/scr: Krzysztof Zanussi
Ph: Jaroslaw Zamojda
Ed: Marek Denys
Prod des: Halina Dobrowolska
Mus: Wojciech Kilar
Cast: Maja Komorowska, Bartosz Obuchowicz, Andrzej Szejnach, Karolina Wajda, Piotr Szwedes
Running time: 104mins
International sales: Tor Film Studios
