Pisarek Family Archive

Walery Pisarek was a well-known linguist, media expert and popularizer of science. He bought a camera in the early 60s, during a business trip to Hungary, where he went as the artistic director of the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Nowa Huta community centre.

Part 1 

The film was made during Walery Pisarek’s trip with his wife, Krystyna, to Zakopane, probably in 1963 or 1964. The couple walks in the mountains. During a break from the hike Krystyna collects forest fruits. 

Part 2 

A few short films documenting the childhood of Walery and Krystyna’s daughter, Dorota, shot in Nowa Huta, by the Nowa Huta reservoir, in the Słoneczny housing estate in Cracow, in Jaszczów and in Sopot between 1962 and 1964. The girl, filmed by her dad, plays with a doll, rides a bike, strokes a dog, spends time on the beach during a holiday in Sopot with her grandma, Konstancja, plays the piano, feeds chickens and rides a horse. During some scenes, Dorota is accompanied by one of her parents and a Rough Collie . 

Part 3

The film was made in Jaszczów, in the family estate of Walery Pisarek, in the summer of 1964. Dorota’s paternal grandmother, Wanda Chaciewiczowa née Bagińska, Krystyna’s mother and her cousins watch Rough Collie puppies playing in front of the entrance to the house. One of the little dogs is Harda, later a companion of the Pisarek family. 

Part 4 

The film was made in Nowa Huta in Cracow in the winter of 1964 or 1965. Dorota with her mother and Harda walk around the Wanda Cracow speedway stadium. Dorota climbs a tree, plays with her dog and makes a snowman with her mother. 

Part 5

The film was made in Jaszczów probably in the summer of 1965. Dorota with her grandmother, Wanda, and the dog sit on a buckboard. 

Part 6 

The film was made during Walery Pisarek’s holiday trip with his wife, Krystyna, called by him Inia, to the Augustów Lake District in the mid-60s. The couple spends time at the campsite. Krystyna cooks in the camper, pretending to drive it at the same time. 

Part 7

Krystyna with Dorota and a few other girls listen to the bells of the “sunken city”. 

Part 8

The film was made in Krościenko in the summer of 1963. Dorota lies on a flat rock and pretends to be asleep. Krystyna “wakes up” her daughter and walks with her in the meadow. Fiction film shot in the Homole Gorge. Walery Pisarek wrapped in a blanket comes out on all fours from a cave. Dorota walks on the rocks, on her way, she meets a half-naked man (played by Walery), who wants to throw a stone at the departing girl. Next to Walery, suddenly appears Krystyna in a hat and with a stick pretending that it is a magic wand. A woman enchants a man and makes him disappear. Krystyna approaches Dorota and hugs her. The girl stands alone in the meadow and cries. Krystyna hugs her daughter. 

Part 9

The film was made in Nowa Huta in Cracow probably in 1961. Little Dorota runs on the sidewalk towards her dad, who films her, and says something to the camera. The girl draws with chalk on the pavement and collects flowers in the newly created Ratuszowy park in the Szklane Domy housing estate. Opened in the early 60s, the park, at the time of recording, is a grassy square with tree seedlings. Krystyna, with a mirror in her hand, combs her hair in front of a block of flats in the Słoneczne housing estate, where the Pisareks’ family apartment is located. Krystyna sits on a bench with Walery. They are filmed by their daughter, Dorota. 

Part 10

The Pisareks’ family apartment in the Słoneczne housing estate in Nowa Huta in Cracow. Walery poses in front of the camera dressed in a long dress, fur scarf and a hat. 

Part 11

The film was made in Nowa Huta probably in 1962. Dorota leaves the building of the community centre in the Górali housing estate and runs towards her father, who films her. 

Part 12

The film was made during a family trip to Zakopane in the winter of 1962 or 1963. Krystyna and Dorota walk across the snowy slope, holding hands. Dorota makes an angel in the snow. 

Part 13

The film was made in Nowa Huta in winter, probably in 1961 or 1962. Dorota plays with a toy car controlled by a remote control on a cable on Bulwarowa Street by the Nowa Huta reservoir. Walery Pisarek stands on a small outdoor stage and plays the role of an announcer, announcing her daughter’s performances. Dorota enters the stage and dances. The girl jumps on paving stones and crushes ice in puddles. Dorota’s maternal grandmother, Konstancja Harrerowa, waves from the balcony of the Pisareks’ family apartment in the Słoneczne housing estate. Dorota jumps on a skipping rope. 

Part 14

Konstancja cleans the apartment of the Pisarek family. Dorota enters the room and plays with toys under the Christmas tree. 

(AT, KN)