In December 2025, we mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Władysław Reymont, one of Poland’s greatest writers. His work has been adapted for the screen many times. Here, we focus on the novel for which Reymont received the Nobel Prize in Literature — “The Peasants”, a richly layered portrayal of Polish rural life at the time. We present two film adaptations side by side: “The Peasants” by Jan Rybkowski (1973) and “The Peasants” by DK Welchman and Hugh Welchman (2023). Both screenings will be preceded by introductory lectures.

The Peasants, dir. DK Welchman, Hugh Welchman (Poland) 2023, 110’, 15+

Against the backdrop of changing seasons and the rhythm of rural life unfold the fates of the Boryna family and the beautiful, mysterious Jagna. The women are the heart of that story, especially the tragic story of Jagna. The unique microcosm of a rural community guides us through a universal and strikingly relevant tale: a story of tragic love and life within a small society, where strict rules and harsh social codes assign each person a fixed place, and stepping beyond those boundaries brings humiliation and rejection.

Film awarded at PFF in Gdynia and the Tofifest IFF.

Audio description version available.