Syzyfowe prace

Syzyfowe prace

Year: 2000

Runtime: 99 mins

Language: Polish

Director: Paweł Komorowski

Drama

1890s, Russian-occupied Poland. When Marcin Borowicz begins his gymnasium education, he is confronted with brutal indoctrination and attempts of resistance.

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Timeline & Setting – Syzyfowe prace (2000)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Syzyfowe prace (2000). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1880s

The events occur in the second half of the 19th century, reaching a turning point during the summer of 1884 when Marcin travels to Kielce for his entry exams. Russian authorities impose language and cultural policies that permeate schools and religious life. Education serves as a focal battleground where Polish history and identity endure amid pressure to conform.

Location

Owczary, Kielce, Polish territories annexed by Russia

The story unfolds in a rural village school in Owczary and in the city of Kielce within late 19th-century Polish lands under Russian rule. It contrasts the simplicity of village education with the formal, state-influenced schooling at Kielce Gymnasium, highlighting how institutions shape national identity. The setting captures the tension between preserving Polish culture and complying with Russian-language and regulatory demands.

🏛️ Historical setting 🇵🇱 Polish culture 🗺️ Russian-ruled territories

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 11:46

Main Characters – Syzyfowe prace (2000)

Meet the key characters of Syzyfowe prace (2000), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Marcin Borowicz (Łukasz Garlicki)

The central protagonist, Marcin is an eager student who moves from a village school to a city gymnasium. He gradually becomes aware of Russification pressures and their impact on Polish history and culture, shaping his political views. His determination to learn and belong is tested by prejudice, language rules, and social dynamics at Kielce.

🎭 Protagonist 📚 Student 🧭 Identity seeker

Anna Stogowska (Alicja Bachleda-Curuś)

Marcin's mother accompanies him to Kielce and provides emotional and practical support throughout his educational journey. She embodies the strain of maintaining family unity while navigating an environment hostile to Polish cultural expression.

👩‍👧 Mother figure 💪 Supportive 🇵🇱 Polish identity

Andrzej Radek (Bartłomiej Kasprzykowski)

One of Marcin's classmates who embodies the harsher social climate at the gymnasium. He can be unpleasant or even mean, illustrating the pressures of fitting in under an oppressive regime and how peer dynamics influence Marcin's experience.

👥 Classmate 🕴️ Peer pressure

Ojciec Marcina (Andrzej Wichrowski)

A father figure who embodies religious and cultural tradition in Marcin's life. He witnesses and warns of the tensions between faith, education, and state-imposed language policies, highlighting the role of family authority in the Polish struggle for identity.

👨 Father figure 🕊️ Religion

Józef, servant (Franciszek Pieczka)

The family’s servant who travels with Marcin and his mother, offering a glimpse into daily life during this tense period. His presence underscores the social hierarchies that frame education and domestic life in occupied territories.

🧑‍🍳 Servant 🧭 Companion

Kanstancja (Agata Piotrowska-Mastalerz)

A local figure connected to the school or community who participates in the social fabric around Marcin. Her interactions reflect the broader network of students and residents navigating life under Russian rule.

👩 Peer 🏫 Student

Płoniewicz (Tadeusz Kwinta)

A school administrator or official who enforces the new regulations, embodying the bureaucratic pressure to assimilate Polish life into Russian norms. His role showcases the reach of state policy into daily school life.

🏫 Authority 🗒️ Official

Student (Piotr Rogucki) (Piotr Rogucki)

A fellow student at Kielce Gymnasium who interacts with Marcin, representing the shared challenges faced by Polish youths under the oppressive education system. His presence helps depict the communal aspect of coming-of-age under censorship.

🎓 Student 🤝 Peer

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 11:46

Major Themes – Syzyfowe prace (2000)

Explore the central themes of Syzyfowe prace (2000), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Identity

Marcin's journey centers on maintaining Polish identity under oppressive Russification. The push to adopt Russian language and norms tests his loyalty to Polish history and culture. School and chapel scenes reveal how personal beliefs are shaped by political forces beyond the classroom.

🕊️ Resistance

Religious and cultural symbols become quiet acts of resistance against assimilation. The chapel dispute over language and the friction between authority figures illustrate how faith and tradition sustain national spirit. Characters navigate secrecy and censorship to preserve their beliefs.

📚 Education

Education is a central arena where Polish youths contest state policy. The contrast between a village school and Kielce Gymnasium highlights the costs of pursuing knowledge under occupation. Incidents over speaking Polish and the struggle to pass exams show schooling as a path to personal and cultural survival.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 11:46

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Syzyfowe prace Summary

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