(1959) Lampa (The Lamp)

Some of Polanski's first films

The Short Films of Roman Polanski - (1959) Lampa (The Lamp)
In waning winter light, a doll maker works in his shop, a kerosene lamp beside him, a jumble of dolls and doll parts, whole and broken, surrounding him. There are noises, too: a cuckoo clock chirps the workday's end. The artisan completes a repair and leaves, shuttering the shop from outside. Back inside, whispering begins. What else is in store for the shop's seemingly lifeless denizens?

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Roman
• Polanski
• Student
• Film
• Łódź
• Lodz
• Art
• Experimental
• Poland
• Polish

[DavidFilmmaker]

The mood and suspense he is creating is fantastic. As well as comedic elements, it reminds me of his later works. To me, one of the greates directors of all time. "The Tenant" is my favourite.

[dkomendant]

super Polanski!

[jfeltes]

They may not make dolls the way they used to however thankfully they don't make fuse boxes the way they used to.

[jfeltes]

Cool. I think I recognized one of those doll heads as a kerstner from Germany

[MproductionsMovies]

Love the atmosphere! :D

Great short by Polanski.

[WWladek]

- Znów obejrzałem ten film po wielu latach. Dzięki!...

[w1ktor]

WTF is that?

[themadmanbreen]

Loved this clip since it was uploaded years ago, funny how no one noticed the "new" electrical box had the face of a Golly (golliwog), sign of the times back then...I think so.

[ktotomovie]

if he had been trying to say it, he would have said it or write it. It's a poetic image, and can produce many pararel interpretations.

[AvantGardeGuy2]

That's an interesting way to look at it, Outeast92.

[Outeast92]

Was the Kerosene Lamp meant to be a symbol of traditional way of life? If so, was the light bulb supposed to be representative of modernization?

So was the filmmaker trying to say that Modernization would destroy traditional Polish lifestyle and culture?

[videoguerrillas]

the Rosemary´s baby toy room...