HENRYK WARS, A SONGSTER OF WARSAW

POLISH TITLE: HENRYK WARS PIEŚNIARZ WARSZAWY

Henryk Wars (Warszawski), 1902-1977, world-wide famous composer of music for over 50 films in Poland before WWII and for over 60 films abroad thereafter, mainly produced in Hollywood film studios. He has also written numerous popular hit songs, for which he has been nicknamed “A Songster of Warsaw”. When on the post-WWII exile, he provided songs for Brenda Lee, Doris Day, Bing Crosby, and Margaret Whiting. The songs he wrote in Warsaw before WWII have survived until now and are still performed by contemporary pop stars.

This film tells the story of this extraordinary artist and Polish patriot.

It was produced nearly 30 years after the composer's death and is based on memories contributed by his family, friends, and associates interviewed on three continents: North America, in Hollywood, where Mr. Wars worked and lived and where still live his widow Elżbieta Vars and son Robert Vars; in Europe, in London, where lives Hanryk Wars Orchestra’s principal soloist and General Anders’ widow Mrs. Renata Bogdańska; and in Australia, where lives the orchestra’s another principal soloist, Mr. Gwidon Borucki. The film also showcases some archive material, including the Polish Newsreel footage from 1936 and 1967; fragments of documentary film account of the battle trail of General Anders’ Army The Great Road, produced in Italy, directed by Michal Waszynski, starring Renata Bogdańska, and provided with soundtrack music by Henryk Wars; as well as film and TV renderings of his greatest hits by old and contemporary singers.

GENRE:
documentary
COUNTRY:
Polska
RUNNING TIME:
57'
YEAR:
DIRECTING:
Wiesław Dąbrowski
SCRIPT:
Wiesław Dąbrowski
DOP:
Kamil Dąbrowski
EDITOR:
Marcin Mikołaj Mironowicz
PRODUCTION:
Agencja Artystyczna "Partus"

Wiesław Dąbrowski »

Director, producer, screenwriter. Born in 1947. A graduate of University of Lodz – Cultural Studies. In 1971 –1989: various positions at the Polish Jazz Society,  from Artist Manager to Vice Chairman of the General Board. Since 1990 – owner/CEO of Artistic Agency PARTUS and an independent producer of TV programmes and films, spectacular gala shows, film music and CD records. Recipient of TV Polonia Crystal Globe’07 and Golden Leaf Retro at Warsaw Retro Songs Festival for documentary “Henryk Wars a songster of Warsaw” and Gold Remi Award (43. Houston International Film Festival, 2010) for documentary “Michal Urbaniak a New Yorker by choice”.
AT FESTIVALS: