"Aftermath", after-Gross and the fans of Polishness Cover Image

„Pokłosie”, poGrossie i kibice polskości
"Aftermath", after-Gross and the fans of Polishness

Author(s): Piotr Forecki
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Fine Arts / Performing Arts, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Film / Cinema / Cinematography
Published by: Instytut Slawistyki Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: Holocaust; margins of the Holocaust; film; discourse; anti-Semitism; nationalism; right-wing politicians; taboo; public history

Summary/Abstract: Aftermath was released in the late 2012. Its director, Władysław Pasikowski, had previously been famous for his violent action films with strong male protagonists. He has also written some of the most sexist dialogues in the history of Polish cinema, as well as a number of lines, often obscene, which have become catchphrases and slogans present every day in the pop culture. His latest film, however, tackles a completely different issue – this thriller-cum-western tells a story that is decidedly contemporary, but nevertheless inspired by the events that took place in Jedwabne (described by Jan Tomasz Gross in his book Neighbors). Aftermath does not attempt to provide a reconstruction of the events that took place “on the margins of the Holocaust” (including Jedwabne). However, it clearly hints at the issue of the Polish contribution to the extermination of Jews and the impact of the conspiracy of silence having been broken. The film gave rise to a heated debate, which rippled through the Polish media for as long as two months after its release. This article is an attempt to analyse and interpret the words and ideas that appeared in the debate.

  • Issue Year: 2013
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 211-235
  • Page Count: 25
  • Language: Polish