Szamanka
Encyclopedia
Szamanka is a Polish
-French
-Swiss
film, released in 1996, directed by Andrzej Żuławski and adapted from a screenplay by Manuela Gretkowska
. The film, which was controversial upon its release in Poland, is about the obsessive relationship between an anthropology professor and a disturbed woman only known as the "Italian". The name of the film comes from the mummified shaman that is studied by the professor.
Michał is engaged with Anna (Agnieszka Wagner), an architect and daughter of his director. During excavations with his students and his younger colleague Juliuz (Paweł Deląg) he finds the well-conserved body of a shaman more than two thousand years old. In the laboratory they try to determine the cause of the shaman's death, which does not seem to be natural.
The life of Michał is turned upside down by the discovery of the shaman's body and his increasingly obsessive love affair with the Italian. For the Italian, he breaks with his fiancée Anna and his friends. He tries to tame the Italian, but she resists his domination, always unforeseeable and rebellious. In the laboratory, during one moment of illumination, Michał comes into contact with the spirit of the shaman. He reveals to him that he was killed by a woman who wanted to capture his magic power. Michał, who finally regards himself as free and lucid breaks up with the Italian. She does not accept his decision, and bludgeons Michał to death and eats his brain.
, a Polish writer and feminist. The screenplay had initially been rejected by Polish Television
due to its controversial content. The production was then financed by Canal + Polska
, Visa Films, the French Compagnie des Films and several private investors.
Actor Iwona Petry was chosen by Director Żuławski after he met her accidentally in a cafe in Warsaw. Petry, who at this time was a sociology student, had no previous acting experience. Although there were rumors in the Polish press that Żuławski used voodoo to improve the performance of Petry, she was in fact trained by French coach Harmel Sbraire, who had previously worked with Juliette Binoche
. Bogusław Linda was chosen for the role of Michał because of his star status in Poland. Żuławski and Linda had a difficult relationship on the set and the two were even bitterly commenting on each other in the Polish press. Nevertheless, after completion of the film Żuławski called Linda a "charismatic actor".
The soundtrack was written by composer Andrzej Korzyński, who had also written the soundtrack for Żuławski's previous films
Possession
, The Silver Globe
and My Nights Are More Beautiful Than Your Days. The soundtrack is an electronic score and relies on two main themes. The first main theme, Szamanka is used primarily in mood transition scenes. The second main theme Zdrowas Mario is used first in the sex scene between the "Italian" and Michał.
The film was shot both in Warsaw
and Kraków
. In Warsaw shooting took place at the Central Station, in the Praga Północ district and in the main administration building of the Polish railway PKP
. In Kraków the film was shot at the Central Station and the University of Science and Technology
.
in 1996.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
-French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
-Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
film, released in 1996, directed by Andrzej Żuławski and adapted from a screenplay by Manuela Gretkowska
Manuela Gretkowska
Manuela Gretkowska is a Polish writer, screenwriter and politician. She is the founder of the Polish Women's Party.-Biography:...
. The film, which was controversial upon its release in Poland, is about the obsessive relationship between an anthropology professor and a disturbed woman only known as the "Italian". The name of the film comes from the mummified shaman that is studied by the professor.
Plot
In Warsaw, a student only known as the "Italian" (Polish: Włoszka, played by Iwona Petry) is on the search for an apartment. The Italian, who is beautiful and a free spirit, is originally from the countryside. During her search she meets anthropology professor Michał (Bogusław Linda), who is renting her an apartment that was occupied by his brother. The business is concluded by a violent sex scene between the two in the empty apartment.Michał is engaged with Anna (Agnieszka Wagner), an architect and daughter of his director. During excavations with his students and his younger colleague Juliuz (Paweł Deląg) he finds the well-conserved body of a shaman more than two thousand years old. In the laboratory they try to determine the cause of the shaman's death, which does not seem to be natural.
The life of Michał is turned upside down by the discovery of the shaman's body and his increasingly obsessive love affair with the Italian. For the Italian, he breaks with his fiancée Anna and his friends. He tries to tame the Italian, but she resists his domination, always unforeseeable and rebellious. In the laboratory, during one moment of illumination, Michał comes into contact with the spirit of the shaman. He reveals to him that he was killed by a woman who wanted to capture his magic power. Michał, who finally regards himself as free and lucid breaks up with the Italian. She does not accept his decision, and bludgeons Michał to death and eats his brain.
Production
The screenplay had been written by Manuela GretkowskaManuela Gretkowska
Manuela Gretkowska is a Polish writer, screenwriter and politician. She is the founder of the Polish Women's Party.-Biography:...
, a Polish writer and feminist. The screenplay had initially been rejected by Polish Television
Telewizja Polska
Telewizja Polska Spółka Akcyjna is Poland's public broadcasting corporation...
due to its controversial content. The production was then financed by Canal + Polska
Canal+ Group
Canal Plus Group is a French film and television studio and distributor. It is controlled by Vivendi and has a film library in excess of 5,000 films. Vivendi has sold some parts of Canal Plus to private investors which are still using the name of Canal Plus...
, Visa Films, the French Compagnie des Films and several private investors.
Actor Iwona Petry was chosen by Director Żuławski after he met her accidentally in a cafe in Warsaw. Petry, who at this time was a sociology student, had no previous acting experience. Although there were rumors in the Polish press that Żuławski used voodoo to improve the performance of Petry, she was in fact trained by French coach Harmel Sbraire, who had previously worked with Juliette Binoche
Juliette Binoche
Juliette Binoche is a French actress, artist and dancer. She has appeared in more than 40 feature films, been recipient of numerous international accolades, is a published author and has appeared on stage across the world. Coming from an artistic background, she began taking acting lessons during...
. Bogusław Linda was chosen for the role of Michał because of his star status in Poland. Żuławski and Linda had a difficult relationship on the set and the two were even bitterly commenting on each other in the Polish press. Nevertheless, after completion of the film Żuławski called Linda a "charismatic actor".
The soundtrack was written by composer Andrzej Korzyński, who had also written the soundtrack for Żuławski's previous films
Possession
Possession (1981 film)
Possession is a 1981 cult horror film directed by Andrzej Żuławski.-Plot:Mark returns home to Berlin to find his wife Anna is leaving him for unclear reasons. He initially suspects an affair and hires detectives to track her, but gradually discovers clues that something far stranger is afoot...
, The Silver Globe
On the Silver Globe (film)
On the Silver Globe is a Polish film released in 1987, directed by Andrzej Żuławski and adapted from a novel by Jerzy Żuławski.-Plot:A group of astronauts leaves Earth to find freedom. Their spaceship crashes on the Earth-like unnamed planet. Astronauts, equipped with video-recording devices,...
and My Nights Are More Beautiful Than Your Days. The soundtrack is an electronic score and relies on two main themes. The first main theme, Szamanka is used primarily in mood transition scenes. The second main theme Zdrowas Mario is used first in the sex scene between the "Italian" and Michał.
The film was shot both in Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
and Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
. In Warsaw shooting took place at the Central Station, in the Praga Północ district and in the main administration building of the Polish railway PKP
Polskie Koleje Panstwowe
is the dominant railway operator in Poland.The company was founded when the former state-owned operator was divided into several units based on the requirements laid down by the European Union...
. In Kraków the film was shot at the Central Station and the University of Science and Technology
AGH University of Science and Technology
AGH University of Science and Technology is the second largest technical university in Poland, located in Kraków. The university was established in 1919, and was formerly known as the University of Mining and Metallurgy...
.
Responses
The film generated some controversy in Poland due to its explicit depiction of sex and its criticism of traditional morality and Catholicism. Due to its scandalous nature the film was also nicknamed "Last Tango in Warsaw" by Polish critics. Polish authorities permitted only a limited release, allowing only two late screenings a day in selected theaters. In Poland the film sold about 400,000 tickets. In France, the film had a limited theatrical release and sold 11,150 tickets. Szamanka was also screened during the Venice Film FestivalVenice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
in 1996.