Watch A Generation

A Generation is a 1955 Polish film directed by Andrzej Wajda, one of the most prominent figures of the post-war Polish cinema, and the first installment of his acclaimed WWII trilogy. The film, shot in stunning black and white, follows the story of Stach, a young man from the working-class district of Wola in Warsaw, who joins the underground resistance against the Nazi occupation.

Set in 1942, at the heart of the brutal occupation of Poland, A Generation captures the harsh reality of life under German rule, from the constant fear of bombing raids to the daily struggle for food and shelter. Stach (Tadeusz Lomnicki), a restless and disillusioned youth, rejects his mundane factory job and seeks meaning and adventure in the resistance movement. He befriends a group of young men, including charismatic leader Jacek (Tadeusz Janczar) and gentle artist Andrzej (Janusz Paluszkiewicz), and becomes increasingly involved in their mission to sabotage the Nazi war machine.

The film depicts the group's journey from idealism to disillusionment, as they face betrayal, capture, and ultimately, death. Stach witnesses the horrors of war firsthand, including the execution of his friends by the Gestapo and the destruction of his beloved Wola neighborhood. Through his eyes, we see the toll that the war takes on both the individual and the collective, as Stach struggles to reconcile his idealism with the brutal reality of war.

The film's visual style is strikingly raw and realistic, with handheld cameras capturing the gritty streets of wartime Warsaw and the chaos of the resistance movement. The use of non-professional actors, particularly in the scenes depicting factory work and street life, lends a documentary-like authenticity to the film. The black and white cinematography is particularly effective in conveying the starkness and stark horror of war.

A Generation is a powerful and moving film that captures both the heroism and tragedy of the Polish resistance during WWII. It is a testament to the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity, as well as a warning against the dangers of blind idealism and political extremism. The film is a must-see for any fan of WWII or European cinema, and a fitting tribute to one of Poland's greatest directors.