CAMERA BUFF
Oh, my God!
Filip, it's starting!
He's drunk
Irenka!
Guess what?
- I think it's a girl - That's great!
- Where's my wife's ward? - First floor
Is that her?
No, it's not her. It's some young girl
You won't be a father for hours
Irenka!
I'll have 320kg ready for you next week
Thank you for ringing.'Bye
I know it's against the rules, sir. But I've brought this little snack
- Already? - Well, she's at the hospital
All right, as a symbolic gesture then
She's gone into labour
It'll be a while yet, my first took 20 hours
OK folks, run along now
Take my keys. There's food in the fridge
Here's the drink
No. I've got some more
You're here, Witek
I never drank so much in my life
Mr Mosz!
It's a girl!
Wait, I can't go in like this
A girl!
Mr Mosz...
We came here, saw your new flat, had a few drinks...
We saw how moved you were at becoming a father...
I'm getting old now
All I can say is that I envy you
Now I know what human happiness looks like
Filip!
Call me Stanislaw
- May I call you Stasiu? - You must!
Why didn't you take her these?
I forgot. I had a dressing gown, cream and a comb. I'll go now
It's 10 o'clock. Tomorrow will do. Where shall I put them?
It's a mess now, but it'll be a super flat
We'll put the cot here, with a table next to it
Here we'll keep the nappies, clean ones... dirty ones...
And baby's toilet things
All painted white
What are you doing?
- What's this? - Nothing special
- It's a camera - A film camera?
I want to take pictures of the child month by month
How much did it cost?
Two months' pay. Irenka was a bit cross
- Moving pictures? - Yes, like in the cinema
It's a great idea
She can see herself grow up
Wrong way round. Like this
Turn the volume up
He was marvellous
Irenka plays this
I need flowers. These will do!
- Filip, it's the boss's house! - Oh hell!
- Name? - Mosz
Your wife has mastitis. We'll have to keep her in...
...unless she can get help at home
Her sister might, but she works
Is it dangerous, doctor?
- No - What a pity!
I wanted to film the baby
- Is it Russian? - Yes, a Kwarc 2
May I have a look?
OK. But only for a few minutes
Ours?
Irenka
Have you touched her?
Of course!
They bring her to me for feeds
From a bottle
See what a mother I am
I can't even feed my own baby
I love you, Irenka
I love you
She's smiling. Can I film her now?
She's wet herself
No, not naked
- Why not? - She's a girl
Has someone died?
No, Piotrek drives a hearse. He brought the cot
It gave me quite a turn
Irena Mosz
Oh! I forgot to film you coming in
- I'll do it when she wakes up - No, it'd be a bad omen
Halt! Turn! Form up into two lines
Masks off!
Good morning
- You're fit! - No, I was late
The exercise has been carried out, Commander
Drop in with Osuch when this is over
Masks on!
If anyone calls, I'm out
I asked you both so you couldn't deny that you own a camera
I do
I believe it makes films
So the instructions say
Did you know that our Jubilee is imminent?
Yes, the 25th anniversary
We expect...
...a lot of VIP's
Yes, we've booked the artists
This occasion can't just come and go
We must record it
I want you to film it
I've only just bought the camera. I wouldn't know how
You'll learn. How did I learn about gardening?
From books. And Stasiu?
He learnt about stamps from books
You have a camera
- And film? - No, sir
What's our Culture budget?
113,000 zlotys. We could start a club
We tried amateur theatre. It didn't work
Theatre! Cinema is the supreme art
- Who said that? - Lenin
So, is it a deal?
It's a deal
Stasiu, you're the witness
Do you always go that fast?
Are you kidding? When I'm working I crawl along
Do you want a lift, Irenka?
She's lovely!
Look at this equipment: a projector, a stand, film...
Did you buy it?
The plant bought it. Director's orders
Piotrek, how can I pay you for the lift? I'll buy you a bottle
Don't bother
Just film me by the van
Mum will watch it three times
He's going to film me!
Take me driving down the slope
Why did they buy it?
The director wants to film the Jubilee
He wants me to make the film. Quite a challenge!
Does it have to be you?
I'm the only one with a camera
You bought it to film the baby
Damn, he's driving too fast
- Did you get it? - In technicolour!
Do you know what Witek asked me?
How come I had everything?
The baby, you, this place...
I said it was all I wanted
If you want something badly, you get it
It's a form of justice, I suppose
You're a good man
Look at him! You'd think he was born holding a camera
1,600 zlotys for you. 20% tax
Name? That'll be 2,340 zlotys for you
Oh, leave it on the chair
- This is for you - Thanks. See you next time
Still here?
- You're sweating - Of course. How did you like me?
- You really want to know? - Actually, take it off
You can't go in there. Film them as they come out
I'll call you
- Watch out! - You idiot!
What are you filming?
Anything that moves
- Where are they? - In there. I missed them going in
Shoot my feet going down the corridor
Then my hand on the door handle. We'll edit it later
Don't be silly
Are you filming people going to the toilet?
I thought they were all coming out
Why not hide in the toilet? That's enough!
What was that about?
He wanted it nice and formal, the idiot
She's asleep
What happened?
To the mirror?
- It broke - How?
- I broke it - Why?
What were you going to say earlier?
- Come here - No
Why did you break it?
I hit it with my hand and it broke
Which one?
I saw you leaving the plant. You looked so tiny
I'll never forget the way you looked
- No, it's too soon - It's a month now
- It might hurt - Then we'll stop
Look how I've cut the film: first the artists...
Then the boss. Is it clear he's listening?
I'll run it backwards. The artists...
...the boss
The artists... the boss
My mum's fainted
What is it?
I don't know. Help me take her to the hospital
You can't take her in a hearse
- You're right. I'll get a doctor - I'll go
- She can't go in a hearse - I'm calling a doctor. You go up
I must get the baby to sleep. She's thrown up again
She's come round, but she can't move
- At all? - Only her eyes
Get an ambulance
- I have a stretcher - I'll wait here
- Does he mean the hearse? - Yes
- How's the baby? - Fine, thanks
- What do you call her? - Irenka
- Terrible, going in that - She won't come back
That's all there is
You've done very well
I like the bit with the pay-out
- Why not add a commentary, though? - What kind?
It's up to you, of course
But I'd like to know who spoke...
...what the occasion was
- It's obvious - Music would help
Music... a commentary. Like on the TV news
Congratulations. Come back and see me later
Now we're alone...
Why showthe fellow with glasses?
He was just there
I want to see less of him
Less of him?
Better still, I don't want to see him at all. And the pigeons?
Let's have them out
Three things are out:
The fellow with the glasses, the two going for a pee, the pigeons...
- And the pay-out - That's four things
Let's make it four, then
I'll leave the pay-out and cut the pigeons
If I were you...
...I'd leave the pigeons and cut the pay-out. OK?
You've been making notes, sir?
I take this seriously. Look
I bought a pen
With a light?
Watch this
You'll like it here
- A bit cold in winter - In winter?
The boiler room is next door
What's in there?
You can use that as a cupboard
I like it here
It's funny howthings work out
Will I be doing something?
- A film, I mean - You most certainly will
I must go to the cinema more often
There's this silence in the cinema
She starts throwing things at him, but you can't see it
It's clever. You don't see him, just things whizzing past him
- I'll comb her hair - No, don't
Does she have to look a mess?
The child is the most moving during the row. When she picks it up...
...and it's crying
That bit sticks in your mind. Not the happy scenes
Leave it! Nowtake her
Go to the window
Beautiful!
If she'd fallen over, would you have shot that as well?
- You should be ashamed of yourself - Why? Nothing happened
They're digging up the pavement
They're always doing that
- I'll go down and get a few shots - Can't you do it from here?
You're right. I'll get the tripod
That was smart thinking
It'll be a documentary film
What are you reading?
I'm just looking at pictures
- What's the matter? - I dreamt a hawk killed a chicken
It's just a dream
I heard its beak hammering the skull
I'll get myself some bread
I always wanted to ask you, why do you eat at night?
It's a habit I picked up at the orphanage
What's it all about, Filip?
I mean the films, the club...
I don't know
One thing led to another
And now you're hooked
I suppose I am
Promise me one thing?
That you'll give it up
Go to sleep
I was just in time. I got it all
- There's someone to see you - A beautiful woman
She's in the office
She wanted to smoke
I'll be off then
Here he is!
This is Filip Mosz, our film-maker
Anna Wlodarczyk. I'm from the Amateur Film Federation
Your boss suggested that we include your film in our festival
We show films of people at work
I don't think that's wise. It was meant...
...only for us
I'm impressed!
Most people make films only to win prizes
Take a seat
Here are the rules and an entry form
I'll expect you in Lodz next month
We're not members of the Federation
Didn't you apply?
Of course
Then you're members. Can we see the film?
I'll take the call in there
Excuse me. I won't be long
- Cigarette? - No, thanks
Come in a moment, Filip
Shut the door. Is it finished?
- Just the commentary - And the matter we discussed?
No. We'd better not show it
Go downstairs
Does it make sense?
Yes, but why is it hacked to pieces?
You ran out of film?
Well, it's early days
Sure, practice makes perfect. We'll take the film
It's great, isn't it?
Look at this, Stasiu
You've really got carried away, Filip
We're getting a phone
It's been rubber-stamped
- Like it? - That's not what I meant
You pay, I deliver
My brother-in-law found God at the age of 30
So what? I'm 30 myself
- He came to a bad end - What happened?
He became a priest
Everyone has a hobby. You've got your stamps
That's all I have
Nothing else
Don't win!
With those additions, we're in business
You'll get top marks
I wouldn't know. I had to come out
You're too sensitive
But you know what you want
I've brought bits from a new film. I'd like your advice
We'll look at them later
Leave it with me
Do you know her?
She's got a lot of pull. Do you know who's screwing her?
This is a load of shit!
That freak! He was thrown out of film school in the first year
He'll boo the verdict, you'll see
How did you get those pigeons?
They just happened to be there, so I filmed them
What an idea!
You just film what's there?
- Well, yes - I like that
How about first names?
- Czeslaw! - Filip
Let me introduce the jury
Anna Wlodarczyk, from our Federation
Teresa Smigielowna, actress
Andrzej Jurga, Warsaw Television
Tadeusz Sobolewski, The Weekly Film
Stanislaw Niemiaszek, representing the Trade Unions
And myself, as chairman
I would like to recommend for the award...
...The Jubileeby Filip Mosz, from the Wielice Film Club
For its originality
The way it captures the solemnity of the occasion...
...while peering behind the scenes
People in private, pigeons on the windowsill...
...the actors being paid backstage
It shows great powers of observation...
...and reflects an interesting modern approach...
...to film narrative
- Isn't it his first film? - Yes, it is
It'd be a shame to spoil...
...such a promising young film-maker
He isn't that young. Let's see you...
...Mr Mosz
My fellow jurors...
...have spoken very eloquently of the films shown
They talk of "social commitment", "modern narrative"...
...and "documentation of the times"
But I saw nothing of the sort
These films...
...were all terrible
They reveal a knowledge of life drawn from TV and newsreels
Not from personal experience
It is the duty of television to broadcast certain things
Amateurs have no such duty
You can do what you like
That's where your strength lies
I can't believe your life consists solely of meetings...
...ovations, presentations...
...parades and civil defence exercises
On the other hand, I'm sure you could make films...
...about yourselves...
...and about your workmates who really work hard...
...to keep us all fed
My colleague has got carried away
We're here to give awards to films, not to make speeches
That's precisely my point
These films don't deserve an award
I propose this festival gives none
The jury has decided not to award the Grand Prix
The second prize and
...Stanislaw Miklosz for The Verdict
The third prize and 4,000 zlotys go to Filip Mosz...
...for The Jubilee
Anna says you have something to show me
If I may
- That's all there is - The idea is good
- Taken from the roof of the plant? - No, from my balcony at home
Why only overhead shots?
Yes, I suppose it's monotonous
My wife won't let me film outside
She's done you a favour
The only way to do it is from one angle overhead
It'll win you all the top prizes
Let's hope so
I must go. I want to buy a heater for my flat
- It gets very cold in the winter - 'Bye. Thank you
- Good luck, Mr Mosz - Thank you
- Everybody's gone - Will you buy me a coffee?
Whatever you like. I've never earned so much in my life
Know who was right today?
Jurga?
Yes, those films were bad. Including yours
You don't have to tell me
Why did you vote for it?
To encourage you to go on. It's important for me
I know so little about you
What exactly do you do?
I'm a buyer
I travel a lot in Poland buying supplies for the plant
It's not bad work
What about you?
Me?
I get by. Doing quite nicely
Know what they call me?
The Amateur. And they're right
I've never been able to settle down
I can't commit myself to anyone or anything
Time to say goodbye, Filip
But we'll meet again?
We'll see
Yes
- I'm blending her food - You'll wake her up
I'm sorry. Look, all creamy!
What's wrong?
Irena...
What did you shout at the station?
That you were not to win
Glad you're here, Stefan. There are quite a few of us now
One thing the festival has taught me...
...is to stop filming jubilees
- You got a prize though - So?
We need a different approach
We should make films about people
About our feelings, our own experiences
Yes, Stasiu
Right now?
The boss has invited us round
They also gave me a diploma, sir
Well done. Third prize
Second, really, since there was no first prize
Now I can congratulate you officially, Filip
Can I keep the diploma?
Yes, of course
I planted this tree when my son was born. He died when he was five
This one was for the girl
These apple trees... were for the twins
You see, that's the way it goes
Good buyer, good film-maker. Cheers!
No, thanks. I've got too much to do. Well, what next?
We're finishing the film about that invention
That'll be two films for the plant. Then we must make one for ourselves
- What do you mean? - Well, not about the plant
- What about, then? - Life
- What did he want? - To know our plans
- What did you say? - I told him
- Why did you give him the diploma? - No use to me. Things will work out
I've just had a word with Mr Osuch
We'll let you do what you want. But we must keep a record
We'll give you a copy of the film
We must have something in writing, a sort of memo
For instance: "I'm making a film about such and such..."
You mean a script?
Call it a script
- Where were you? - The boss asked us round
Has the doctor seen her?
He has
Go away. Go!
Slam it harder!
What's this key doing here?
It's a new one!
Do you really want to know about me? 494