Hassa Family Archive

The author of the film is Zbigniew Hassa. Since the age of 14, he had worked as an electrician in Warsaw Trams (then MZK). When his daughters, Joanna and Katarzyna, were born, he decided to start filming events from the life of the family. 

First Communion of Katarzyna, Irena and Zbigniew Hassa’s daughter, in the church of St. Anne in Wilanów. Open-air shots. Kasia comes out of the block of flats in a Communion dress with her sister, Joasia, and her mother. They walk down a neighborhood alley. Kasia walks through the housing estate accompanied by her parents (Joasia films them). Zbigniew and Kasia wave to the camera. Joasia and Kasia walk, holding hands. In the distance, we can see the dome of the church of St. Anne. Kasia, with her mother and Joasia, stand in front of the church. Kasia holds a picture in her hands and shows it to the camera. A shot of the church of St. Anne in Wilanów. In front of it, there is Kasia, a girl and two boys, who pose for the camera, showing pictures. A shot of the Hassa family’s neighbor riding a bicycle. A burgundy car (GAZ-24 Volga, the car of a neighbour – a taxi driver) is parked in a street. Irena, Kasia and their friends get out of it. Shots in front of the church. Kasia and Irena stand with a group of parents. Next to them, there is a girl in a Communion dress. (It’s Kasia’s friend from primary school, also named Kasia). A close-up of both Kasias, who talk next to a fence. In the background, we can see Irena smoking a cigarette and talking to other women. Various shots of Irena with her daughters, who walk on the sidewalk and cross the street. Joasia smiles at the camera. Zbigniew, Irena and Joasia walk towards the camera. Behind them, we can see a high block of flats. Zbigniew pulls faces in front of the camera (Kasia films him). Kasia and her parents walk along the fence (Joasia films them).

(PB)