WÓJCIK, JERZY

(1930-)

Accomplished cinematographer whose name is synonymous with some of the best-known achievements of thePolish School. He worked as a camera operator onAndrzej Wajda'sKanal(1957) and as a cinematographer on Wajda'sAshes and Diamonds(1958). He also photographedAndrzej Munk'sEro-ica(1958) as well asKazimierz Kutz'sCross of Valor(1959) andNobody Is Calling(1960), where he and Kutz challenged the dominant aesthetics of Polish films.In addition, Wójcik contributed photography to the classics directed byJerzy Kawalerowicz-Mother Joan of the Angels(1961) andThe Pharaoh(1966)—andJerzy Hoffman'sThe Deluge(1974). Beginning withWesterplatte(1967), Wójcik started a long-term collaboration withStanisław Różewiczand photographed films such asLeaves Have Fallen(1975),Lynx(1981), andA Woman with a Hat(1985).

Wójcik also scripted and directed two films:The Complaint(Skarga, 1991), which referred to the brutally suppressed strikes in the Szczecin shipyard in 1970, andThe Gates of Europe(Wrota Europy, 1999), set during the Polish-Soviet war in 1920. Both films were photographed byWitold Sobociński. In addition, he directed severaltelevisiontheater plays. Since 1984 Wójcik has been teaching the art of cinematography at theŁódź Film School, where he has also acted as an artistic supervisor on a number of student films.