AND NOW, BOBKOWSKI?

Supported by the "Młoda Polska" program of the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage Partners: Arte Creative, CiS Verlag, Institut Littéraire Kultura/ Maisons-Laffitte, Karolina Galuba/ Dzika plaża TV & Film Production, Anna Kosińska/Animation, Polska the best, Institut Polonais Paris

For four months, we traced the journey of Polish writer Andrzej Bobkowski as he cycled across France in 1940. The films created during this bicycle tour engage in a direct dialogue with Bobkowski's diary, capturing our travels, daily life, and interactions with people. This web documentary is an experimental approach to experiencing literature, embracing spontaneity and constant motion.

August 30 (from Bobkowski's diary, 1940):
"We have planned the route for the return trip. Carcassonne - Nice, 570 kilometers. All along the coast. In Bandol, I want to visit the Villa 'Pauline' to visit the shadow of Katherine Mansfield. I would give a lot for her 'Letters' right now. From Nice, we want to head to the Alps.
Until then, we rest and eat from morning till night. I have probably already eaten half the barrel of olives that stands in a corner at my enchantress's place. In the evening, we go cycling for training so our legs don't get stiff. (…)
In the afternoon, the café owner calls me: 'Monsieur Bonbonski, une dépêche pour vous.' ('Mr. Bonbonski, a telegram for you!') Aha - Robert has sent a telegram. I tear it open - we have to go back, the factory is being liquidated. I sit with Tadzio on the veranda, and we look sadly at the sky. We are both still here, but we already long for Gruissan. A longing in advance. The weather has just become beautiful. The sun is shining, and a very light breeze is blowing from the sea. There's nothing to be done; it's pointless to leave today, and tomorrow is Sunday, so our place is closed anyway. Tomorrow we make farewell visits, pack our belongings. (…)
In the evening, a farewell rum and a farewell game of chess at the café by the canal.”