ROLY POLYDirector: Andrzej Wajda Writer: Stanisław Lem Cast: Bogumił Kobiela, Anna Prucnal Poland, 1968, 30 min Two rally car drivers, Ryszard (Bogumił Kobiela) and Tomasz, end up in hospital following a crash. Ryszard survives after being transplanted 48.5% of Tomasz’s body, which leads the insurance company to declare Tomasz ‘incompletely deceased’ and refuse to pay out life insurance to his widow. This tragicomedy was adapted from a Lem radio play, marking a rare comedic turn from iconic director Andrzej Wajda. MASK Directors: Stephen Quay, Timothy Quay Writers: Stephen Quay, Timothy Quay Cast: Magdalena Cielecka Poland/UK, 2010, 23 min In an alternate reality where advanced technology has developed alongside feudalism, a killer robot is created. Hidden in the body of a beautiful woman, the robot slowly unravels her true identity, bringing her pre-programmed destiny into conflict with human emotions. This stop-motion puppet animation was scored by Krzysztof Penderecki and is a sublime interpretation of Lem’s short story of the same name. Screening will be followed by a panel discussion about Lem’s legacy and the challenges of adapting his work to the screen.
