The changing seasons and seasonal field work provide the backdrop for the fascinating story of the Boryn family and the mysterious character of the beautiful Jagna. The film Chłopi (eng. The Peasants), directed by DK Welchman and Hugh Welchman, premiered on September 8, 2023, garnering three awards and four nominations. It has also been submitted as Poland’s candidate for the Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category.
Referring to painted animations, we can also recall the production Loving Vincent from 2017, which aimed to portray the life of the famous painter Vincen van Gogh through illustrations inspired by his artworks. The Post-Impressionists continued their explorations of color while simultaneously rejecting many principles of the Impressionism itself. They aimed to free the painting from the imitation of nature, the concept of mimesis, emphasizing the autonomy of the painted work. For many artists, Post-Impressionism served as a starting point in their pursuit of a distinctive style.
In the case of this film, inspiration was drawn from a popular novel, attempting to capture the formal characteristics of works by artists like Józef Chełmoński, Ferdynand Ruszczyc, Leon Wyczółkowski, Julian Fałat, and Alfred Wierusz-Kowalski. In Young Poland paintings, it’s challenging to identify a predominant tendency that most artists leaned towards. In the typical Art Nouveau paintings, undulating lines were most commonly used, operating with half-tones, and if using full colors, they were rather subdued. Among the works of numerous Young Poland painters, influences of oriental art are noticeable (not only Chinese or Japanese but also Javanese, for example) – art that they were fascinated with at that time, considering Western European art as outdated.
Preparations for Chłopi began in 2018, and shooting with actors commenced in 2020 (interrupted by the pandemic and resumed on set in 2021). A year later, the process of painting frames based on recorded scenes began, lasting until September of this year. Depending on the type of shot and requirements, various systems were used: most commonly, work was done on shots where each frame was oil-painted at 12 fps (frames per second). In total, over 100 people painted the images by hand in four studios: in Sopot, Vilnius, Belgrade, and Kiev. Some of these paintings can be purchased and hung on the wall (they cost between 250 and 500 euros in the online store shop.thepeasantsmovie.com). Moreover, they could be seen live at the free exhibition Painted Peasants at Hala Koszyki in Warsaw, from September 30 to October 12. A unique feature of this project is its specific form in which it was realized. Actors played their roles, and each frame was painted by artists. Digitized, combined, and animated images resulted in the final effect, comprising around 80,000 unique canvases.
As with any literary adaptation, the creators had to make choices about which events from the book would be included in the film, creating a cohesive, new narrative. The story was efficiently condensed into two hours, focusing mainly on the love triangle involving Jagna and the two Boryns (Antek and Stary Boryna). Chłopi served as an excellent foundation, allowing the discovery of new aspects and engaging the contemporary audience.
The film’s main perspective revolves around the theme of love, particularly concerning Jagna. We see her as a young woman undergoing the initiation into adulthood while simultaneously navigating mature desires for love. Additionally, she must meet the expectations of the community that dictates with whom and how she should live. The wedding dance scene, full of ribbons, petticoats, and beautiful music, illustrates how little Jagna had to say about her own life. Her spinning figure points to a sad and lost heart, which resonates even more in the film’s conclusion, leaving the audience with a deeper impression.
Outstanding performances by actors such as Kamila Urzędowska as Jagna, Mirosław Baka as Stary Boryna, Robert Gulaczyk as Antek, and supporting characters like Sonia Mietelica as Hanka and Julia Wieniawa as Marysia immerse us authentically in the world of Chłopi.
In the context of folklore, the music, dance, and rituals composing various scenes linger with the audience after the screening. The lyrics of the songs were crafted based on hundreds of words and quotes from the book Chłopi. Łukasz L.U.C. Rostkowski, together with the international ensemble Rebel Babel Film Orchestra, composed a rich film score based on authentic sounds of folk instruments, compositions, and traditional themes. The soundtrack, drawing from folk music and enriched with electronic elements, infuses the film with remarkable energy.
Despite narrative shortcuts that omit peripheral storylines, secondary characters splendidly illustrate life in the Polish countryside of that time. Poland, as depicted by the artists behind this film, is both beautiful and fascinating, capable of evoking emotions through more melancholic scenes.
Chłopi is a deep journey into Polish culture and history, painted on the canvas by talented creators. It offers a full, immersive experience, captivating the audience with its exploration of love, tradition, and the complexities of rural life.
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