The Way Between

By Martyna Olszowska (Poland)

"Everyone should be himself, but a film critic must be himself, since it is a part of his job" – it comes from one of the greatest film critics in Poland - Jerzy Płażewski. I do believe in it. I’m utterly convinced that being a film critic is an eternal search combined with an everlasting development of personal style. When I attended primary school, I have decided to be a journalist. Then I discovered the cinema and my fascination with it is still developing.

Now I am in my last year of journalism and film studies at Jagiellonian University in Cracow. During these five years I have published in different newspapers, also I set up a culture magazine “Splot” with my friends. Now I write for the weekly magazine “Krakow Post” about culture events in Cracow. This is quite an interesting experience as “KP” is aimed at foreigners. Therefore, I must remember that many things which seem obvious to me are usually not for my readers. This gives me an opportunity to look at Polish cinema from a completely different point of view. Polish film journalism had to face a new reality after the fall of communism in 1989. Readers have changed, thus the market of film magazines had to undergo a revolution. “Film critic”, a person who has wide background and methodology evolved into “film journalist”.

Young people newly acquainted with this profession try to find a balance between the tradition of many fantastic Polish film critics, who are still our mentors, and this new reality. The same thing happened in Polish cinema. During the 90s it was full of dull stories or unsuccessful copies of Hollywood genre films. However during the recent years vast numbers of young directors came into the filmmaking profession. They aim at being storytellers through giving the audience a piece of reflections combined with entertainment. This is why I am looking into the future with optimism. I like cinema in its diversity. I find pleasure mostly in both art movies and Hollywood blockbusters. I like looking at a film as the opportunity to experience other cultures. In the era of the Internet, when nearly everyone can write about movies, a film critic should have a staggering personality, must be a guide in this diversity.

He/she has to be able to put forward his own opinions with which readers may agree or not, but are always interested in . Combining the knowledge that my studies gave me with my passion and showing readers that movies are a whole lot more than they seem at first glance - this is what I aim for. Idealistic? Yes, but still - this is the privilege of youth.