A poster of Juliusz Machulski’s Vinci (left) and Sylwester Checinski, director of Big Shar

March 16: The city’s film buffs are all set to have a tryst with Polish cinema, known for its intense and intriguing plots woven by classic filmmakers.

Titled Cinema with a Wink, the Polish Film Festival is a package of five “thinking” films, which will be screened by Gauhati Cine Club at Pragjyoti Auditorium, Machkhowa. The three-day festival will begin on March 26.

The festival is a collaborative effort by the Club and the Polish Embassy, New Delhi. Poland’s ambassador Krzysztof Majka and counsellor Malgerzata Wejsis Golebiak are expected to attend the inaugural ceremony.

“The festival is a tribute to the Polish film industry which is known for its cinematic excellence and real life stories,” said Kanak Chandra Kalita, secretary of the club.

The opening film of the festival will be marked by Four Play (1976) by director Marek Piwowski, which narrates the story of a young man forced to work undercover for police, in return for dropping charges against him. The film is a take on the Polish underworld and its activities.

The other four films that will be screened in the festival are Vinci (2004) by Juliusz Machulski, Big Shar (1983) by Sylwester Checinski, Soccer Poker (1989) by Janusz Zaorski and Hit the Bank (1981) by Juliusz Machulski.

The club, a brainchild of Dada Saheb Phalke Award winner balladeer Bhupen Hazarika will also be felicitated on the inaugural day of the festival.

Other dignitaries who will be present on the occasion include chief minister Tarun Gogoi, cultural minister Gautam Bora and writer Harekrishna Deka.

The other big names associated with the club are internationally acclaimed filmmaker Jahnu Baruah, veteran theatre personality Kulada Kumar Bhattacharjee and critic Abdul Mazid.

Established in 1965, the club is doing pioneering work in the development of film culture in the city. Besides organising festivals of world-class cinema occasionally, the club screens two films every weekend at Lakshiram Baruah Sadan.

It was because of the endeavour of the club that made the city the first place in India to screen the entire package of The Decalogue by famous Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski. The Decalogue is a series of 10 one-hour drama originally made for Polish television between 1988-1989 and was simultaneously shown throughout the world in film festivals, cinematheques and museum programmes.

“In spite of several constraints, we have always tried our best to showcase the best films of the world. The forthcoming Polish Film Festival is a part of our commitment to continue with our works,” said Kalita.

“Whenever the club organises a film festival, I have always made it a point to watch all the screenings. The club screens some of the most outstanding films from across the globe and in a city where we hardly have any access to good cinema it endeavour holds great meaning for any film lover,” said Meghali Deka, a film buff.