Educational Media Reviews Online

The subject of this film is the celebrated Polish poet, essayist and Nobel prizewinner, Wisława Szymborska (1923-2011). The sometimes impish, often charismatic Syzmborska is the subject of interviews regarding her perspective on life as well as her own prose poetry. She reads from her works, including the thought-provoking “Hitler’s First Photograph” (“And who’s this little fellow in his itty-bitty robe?”), the forthright “On Death” (“It can't take a joke, find a star, make a bridge”), and the lovely “True Love” (“Let the people who never find true love keep saying that there’s no such thing. /Their faith will make it easier for them to live and die”). Bucolic images of Poland are interspersed with laudatory commentary on Szymborska’s place in the hearts and minds of her ardent readers, including footage of the rock singer Kora, performing Szymborska’s poem, “Nothing Twice,” as an upbeat rock anthem. Those new to Szymborska will find much here to recommend her poetry. Those who already know of her will be satisfied by this homage to a great lyrical poet of the late 20th century.