Ten diverse films from ten unique directors, “Poland in Close-up:The Great Polish Masters” section is a great example of Polish cinema’s versatility and range of talent.
To congratulate Polish Films’ participation in the 17th BIFF (Busan International Film Festival), Amb. Krzysztof Ignacy Majka of Poland and Madame Zofia Majka held a cocktail party at the Haeundae Grand Hotel on Oct. 7 evening, 2012 while many movie fans loving Poland movies and Poland film directos were on hand. Also President Krzysztof Zanussi of “TOR” Film Production from Poland and Deputy Director Jay Jeon of BIFF were on hand.

▲ Amb. Majka of Poland (far right) slices a congratulating cake with participants to commemorate Polish films participation in the 17th BIFF.

During their conversation at the reception, participants were sympathy with the fact that from intimate dramas to epic stories, from ironic to uplifting tales, you will not find one common element in all of the ten films, but together they make up a fascinating puzzle of a country whose history remains both –a burden and a major inspiration for its artists, a country of inquisitive filmmakers searching for original ways of telling their stories.

The following is a speech, delivered by His Excellency Amb. Krzysztof Ignacy Majka of Poland during the reception. Ed-.
I am happy and honored to welcome all of you tonight very warmly on this reception kicking-off the Special Event in Focus, Poland in Close-up: The Great Polish Masters.
Festival Director Mr. Lee Yong-kwan and Director of Adam Mickiewiez Institute Mr. Pawel Potoroczyn! Let me welcome particularly warmly masters of Polish cinema present on the festival: Mr. Zanussi, Agnieszka Holland, Dorota Kedzierzawska and many other distinguished guests.
Ladies Gentlemen.
I am sure you remember the film Nashville-1975 American musical black comedy film directed by Robert Altman. The movie is widely considered as one of the Altman’s most accomplished film.
This film became also the favorite film of former President Gerald Ford and this was revealed by the wife of the President after his death. It was indeed a long… long way until Gerald Ford really started to appreciate and enjoy the move. His first reactions were, speaking gently, very negative but later he used to watch the film many times.
After years when Ford finished his presidency he met Altman on one of a golfing tournaments and said to him “You know Bog, your movie Nashville has perplexed me for years. I’ve seen it a number of times, and for the life of me I have no idea what the hell you were trying to say, but I really liked it a lot”.

Director Pawel Potoroczyn of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute and Amb. Majka pose with distinguished guests during the reception.

Altman answered, “Mr. President, it’s funny, that’s exactly how I felt about your Presidency”.
This is a story which is focused on the Gerald Ford Presidency but tonight my real intention is to focus your attention on Poland, Polish cinema and Polish Film Masters.
In Pusan Poland will present a retrospective of ten Polish films from the years 1959-2012. The presentation of Polish cinema at the festival is organized in collaboration of the Institute of Adam Mickiewicz, the Polish Film Institute and Polish Embassy in Seoul.
I wish you a great time in Pusan, great evening, good meetings and discussions which all together will be an inspiration and encouragement for your future creative activities and productions. I do hope that you also enjoy this Polish evening and our hospitality tonight in the beautiful city of Pusan where the first Korean movie studio had been established in 1924 (nearly 90 years ago) and first Korean movie Arirang was directed by Na Un-gyu in 1926.