Krzysztof Krauze Passed Away

Krzysztof Krauze. Photo by Marcin Kułakowski, Polish Film Institute

Acclaimed director and screenwriter Krzysztof Krauze passed away on December 24, 2014 after an extended battle with terminal illness. Krzysztof Krauze was an award-winning feature and documentary film director; his filmography includes Dług (The Debt), Mój Nikifor (My Nikifor), Plac Zbawiciela (Saviour’s Square), and Papusza.

Krzysztof Krauze graduated in cinematography from the National Film School in Łódź in 1976. From 1978 to 1983, he worked for Se-Ma-For studio, later taking on a position at the K. Irzykowski Film Studio. Member of the “Tor” Film Studio team from 1985 to 1991. He also acted as a member of the Programming Council of television’s “Studio Debiutów” and the Artistic Council of the K. Irzykowski Film Studio. Member of the European Film Academy since 2001. Head of the Council of the Polish Film Institute from 2008 to 2011.

Winner of multiple film awards. Two-time winner of the Golden Lions Award at the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia . Honoured with the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta and winner of the Annual Award of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage in the field of filmmaking.

“The passing of Krzysztof Krauze is devastating news,” said Agnieszka Odorowicz, General Director of the Polish Film Institute. “We’ve all known that he had been struggling with a terrible disease for years, but it seemed unthinkable that he might lose this battle. And yet that’s what happened. Today, Polish cinema lost one of its most acclaimed filmmakers. Krzysztof Krauze was an exceptionally talented director, a witty screenwriter, and a great role model for young filmmakers. He was an artist with a unique sensibility, which he was able to convey in his films. A good man with a great heart, who — in life and in his work — often focused on those who were disadvantaged or forgotten.

“On behalf of the staff of the Polish Film Institute, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to Joanna, and to all Friends and Relatives,” said Agnieszka Odorowicz.

Translated by Karolina Kołtun