JĘDRYKA, STANISŁAW

(1933-)

Director Stanisław Jędryka is best known for his popular films for children and young adults, among them several classictelevisionseries scripted by writer Adam Bahdaj, such asSummer with Ghosts(Wakacje z duchami, 1970),A Trip for One Smile(Podróz za jeden uśmiech, 1972), andI Bet on Tomek Banan(Stawiam na Tomka Banana, 1973). A 1956 graduate of theŁódź Film School, Jędryka initially assistedStanisław LenartowiczandStanisław Różewiczbefore directing his very well-received debut,The Impossible Goodbye(Dom bez okien, 1962), a story about a small provincial circus, written byAleksander Ścibor-Rylskiand starring some fine Polish actors, among themWiesław GołasandElżbieta Czyżewska.In 1967 Jędryka released the psychological dramaReturn to Earth(Powrót na ziemię, 1967), starringStanisław MikulskiandEwa Krzyżewska, a film about the impossibility of freeing oneself from the shadow of the war. His 1965 film,The Island of Delinquents(Wyspa złoczyńców), marked the beginning of his long-lasting interest in problems experienced by children and teenagers. He often dealt with the impoverished and the delinquent and portrayed generational conflicts in popular films, such asShoot Paragon! (Paragon gola! 1969) andThe End of the Holiday(Koniec wakacji, 1974). The action of his two films for children,Salad Days(Zielone lata, 1980) andUpside Down(Do góry nogami, 1983), introduced the political atmosphere before and at the beginning of World War II in Sosnowiec (Jedryka's place of birth) and Chorzów (in the neighboring Upper Silesia). In the 1980s, Jędryka also continued making films in the spirit of his earlierReturn to Earthdealing with the Home Army (AK) fighters, such asAmnesty(Amnestia, 1982) andI Died to Live(Umarłem, aby zyć, 1984), both photographed byMieczysław Jahoda. The latter film generated two sequels produced in 1989.