CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2016
| Author | Marcinek, Agnieszka Paulina |
|---|---|
| Title | The Non-Representation of Jews in Polish Cinema, 1947-1989: Othering by Self-Victimization - a Continuity |
| Summary | This thesis discusses the continuity of Polish memory politics of Jewish representations within Polish film. The main focus is on three films within the state socialist period, with additional historical context covering the period prior to 1945, and a minor mention of post 1989 filmic representations, in order to demonstrate a continuity of anti-Semitism in Poland. The thesis aims to move away from the common association of state socialism as a reason why anti-Semitism is prevalent within Polish cinema. I apply the theories of Jan Lipski and Maria Janion as a way to demonstrate that Poland’s memory of Jews needs to progress and move past the “traditional” concept of Polish identity as a heterogeneous “Catholic” or Polish “Slavic”. Similarly, in order to understand Polish representations of Jews in film, the history of Polish film and also Poland’s political situation needs to be acknowledged, but not taken as the sole reason for such patterns in film making. I do this in order to demonstrate a progressive outlook on Polish memory of Jews, as a country that associates more with the west but in fact is “east of the West and west of the East”, as Janion has suggested. The notion of accepting Poland’s own multiethnic and complex identity is the only way for Poland to fit into the canon of a European identity. With the Jews as Poland’s largest minority population, it is crucial to discuss problems within historical cultural approaches to the memory of Jews, as similar issues arise in current cultural representations. Ultimately, the country appears to remain stagnant in its self-victimization identity; thus Poland continue to claim itself as a victim, while further victimizing the real victims. |
| Supervisor | Professor Peto, Andrea and Professor Trencsenyi, Balazs |
| Department | History MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2016/marcinek_agnieszka.pdf |
Visit the CEU Library.
© 2007-2025, Central European University