La perla de la corona

The second part of Kazimierz Kutz’s Silesian triptych (the other two are: Salt of the Black Earth and Beads of One Rosary). The distinctive style of photography, the characters and events lends the film the nature of a poetic ballad about miners on strike. It also shows the traditional customs of the Silesian people. The gloom of the mine is contrasted with the sunny world of colourful houses, folk clothes and sublime love − the only joy and treasure for these poor people. The film takes place in Polish Silesia in the 1930s. Young miner, Jaś, returns home from his shift. Waiting for him is Wichta, his loving wife and his two small sons. The next day, Jaś learns that the mine is to be closed because of flooding. (3Kino Fest)