THE YOUNG LADIES OF WILKO (PANNY Z WILKA) Tribute to Andrzej Wajda: 40 Years of Filmmaking

Noted director Andrzej Wajda is in fine form. After two political films that had problems at home but high popularity, his latest, The Young Ladies of Wilko, is a romantic period piece and a truly successful change-of-pace The film takes place in the late 20s with a Chekhovian atmosphere of longing, an attempt to return to the past without undue sentimentality and revealing touches and characterization. A thirtyish young man, Victor (Daniel Olbrychski) who heads a small factory, faints at the funeral of a close friend. He decides to go home for a while, but gets involved with a family of five women who had all been in love with him at one time though he had apparently loved only one, who, unknown to him, had died since his departure Wajda obviously felt and enjoyed this take, which is communicated in airy direction and perceptive progression. -Variety