Notes for Ashes And Diamonds

Film: Ashes And Diamonds

Year Of Release: 1958

Director: Andrzej Wajda

Notes from viewing number 1 (14.10.2021)

Rating: 10/10

- Ashes And Diamonds is the culmination of everything that made Polish director Andrzej Wajda a cinematic legend. It is a fascinating look at the world after WW2, and especially Poland's crisis of identity.

- The opening assassination is very intriguing. We are introduced right of the bat to Wajda's unique directorial style, and there's also a lot of great religious imagery.

- Legendary Polish Actor Zbigniew Cybulski, better known as «the polish James Deen», gives his best performance here. He gives loads of charisma and cool to his performance, and also gets some moments where he truly shines.

- Wajda beautifully captures Poland's identity crisis. There's a lot of confusion and chaos in almost every scene, and the whole film is drenched in the feeling of insignificance.

- The shot of the crucifix hanging upside down is the greatest shot of Wajda's career. It packs one hell of a punch, and it's stunning to look at.

- The romance at the heart of the film is surprisingly great. Both actors are excellent, and the romance is rather resonant.

- The firework sequence is brilliant, and you can see its influence in a lot of places, for example De Palma's own fireworks sequence from Blow Out.

- The final sequence is powerful. Some characters walk into the light, while others die among the trash, proving just how uncertain Poland's future was.