As India and Poland find new points of connection across culture and space exploration, the relationship between the two countries continues to deepen. Highlighting this growing engagement, Małgorzata Wejsis-Gołębiak, Director of the Polish Institute in New Delhi, said at the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) that cultural exchange will play a vital role in bringing people from both nations closer in the coming years.
Referring to the participation of young astronauts Shubhanshu Shukla from India and Staswosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland in space missions, Gołębiak said such moments reflect a shared forward-looking vision. She noted that while science and space create powerful symbols of cooperation, culture remains the most sustained meeting point between societies.
Gołębiak was speaking at a press interaction ahead of a special panel discussion titled Polish Cinema and the Andrzej Wajda Legacy: Art, History, Cinema and Identity, organised at the Open Forum as part of the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival.
Expressing her happiness over the growing understanding and cooperation between the two countries, she said at BIFFes that diplomacy today extends far beyond official representation. “As diplomats, we represent not only our country, but also our culture in the widest sense. Through films, theatre and literature, we share stories of Polish history and society. Through these narratives, we hope to bring the people of India and Poland closer,” she said.
She also thanked the festival organisers and the Government of Karnataka for choosing Poland as the focus country this year. “We have tried to present cinema that is not only interesting for Indian audiences, but also meaningful and valuable,” she added.
CR Raghu, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Bengaluru, welcomed the strong presence of Polish cinema at BIFFes. He noted that around 14 Polish films are being screened and invited audiences from Bengaluru and across Karnataka to engage with them.
Festival curator Murtaza highlighted the importance of the Polish showcase, noting that the festival is marking the birth centenary of legendary filmmaker Andrzej Wajda with a special retrospective of seven key works. He also pointed to the presence of Joanna Łapińska, Artistic Director of the Polish Film Festival, as a jury member for the Asian Cinema Competition.
The lineup includes biopics on Frédéric Chopin and Franz Kafka, the latter directed by Agnieszka Holland, along with Under the Volcano by Damian Kocur, Poland’s official Oscar entry. Kocur will also conduct a directing masterclass, while the programme concludes with the documentary Letters from Wolf Street.
Moderating the session, former BIFFes Artistic Director Vidyashankar reflected on the long-standing influence of Polish cinema in India, noting that for nearly four decades it has helped Indian audiences understand Eastern Europe’s cultural, political and social transitions through the powerful medium of cinema.