You are a very young artist, but in the “War-time Triptych”, because of its themes, you have faced a difficult task – was “Helena” the first time for you, to face the subject of occupation?

The occupation is a subject very often mentioned in my home. My family was in a very hard situation during the war. My great-grandfather was a war prisoner of the Germans and spent the entire war in the Woldenberg Oflag. My grandmother Irena, with her mother and siblings, was therefore forced to flee and during the war she witnessed very tragic events. Fortunately, after the war, all of them were able to happily rejoin. During his stay in the Oflag, my grandmother’s father would secretly write stories, journals and poems, some of them were even published later, and others are still waiting to be printed.

Are you emotionally connected with your character? Was she the most interesting for you? Do you admire her in any way?

Helena Barbacka became very close to me. I am similar age, I have a lot of dreams, and I can not imagine how I would behave in her situation. A young girl who had to leave her peaceful home and big plans to study journalism, and joined the partisans to fight for freedom. Mostly I admire her for the fact that despite the difficulties she had encountered on her path, Helena was able to fight for her own happiness. Although the war had taken so much away from her, she has found love. The feeling that was born between them was all the more powerful, as they could have died at any time. It is amazing how much hope there has been in it. Most importantly, I know well the daughter of Helena, Mrs Monika Ślepiak, whom I met at the Bolesław Barbacki Worker’s Theatre, we starred together in the play “Bolek and Żabusia”, and that made playing her mother a huge challenge for me. I hope I have met this challenge.

You have recently graduated high school and enrolled at the university, so you have a very fresh perspective as a student who needs to master the history material. Do you think that the subject of the occupation of Poland is still relevant, although it has been so many years since the II World War? Should it be taught and how to do it to make it engaging for the young people?

“A nation that does not know its history is condemned to experience it again” said George Santayana and his words should guide us, the young, especially today. Many years may have passed since the II World War, but that nightmare has affected and will still affect generations. Katyn, the Nazi occupation, Volhynia, Yalta and many other historic moments can still envoke hatred, xenophobia, but also patriotism and courage in the face of injustice, generosity and protest against unfairness. That is why we must talk about the occupation period, and it must be done especially now, when the new bloody war is waged near our borders. How? That is a more difficult question. Vividly, emotionally, but factually, without distorting the facts and, most importantly, with integrity. I have experience in the late medieval historic reenactment, because together with my parents I have been involved as a volunteer many times in living history lessons and shows. I have seen that such a way to convey knowledge appeals more to the young people, sparks their imagination more and stimulates them to study on their own.

Karolino, you are a student at the Academy of Dramatic Art*, not so long ago you have left Nowy Sącz for the academy. Did you hear the story of Berta and about what happened to the Jewish population of the city during the war when you were still studying in Nowy Sącz?

I was told about the fate of the Jewish population more than once, either in history lessons or at family home. I did not hear the story of Berta before. And it is a pity, because only after I started working on the film and I tried to learn her story I was reminded that the tragedy of a million was a tragedy of individuals and their families, which is unfortunately easy to forget.

Was it a challenge for you to take on the role of Berta? Did you feel connected to this character?

I knew that Berta deserves a story about her to be beautifully told. I really wanted her character to echo, and for every viewer to think about Berta when they were to look at the town hall tower in Nowy Sącz. I think it is safe to say that we have become friends with Berta Korennman and every time I will return where I am from I will also be back to my thoughts about Berta. And was this character a challenge for me? Of course it was. But I hope for more challenges like this.

Which scene was the hardest for you?

Definitely the scene in which Berta and her family are to put on a band with the star of David. When I held this piece of fabric in my hands, I felt scared, I knew it was impossible to imagine the kind of horror that had to be felt by the Jewish people then and to perform that in that scene. So I looked at Mr Jan Korwin Kochanowski, who played Berta’s dad, and I thought of the fear for a family member, because after all, the loss of a loved one was as painful in the past, as it is painful now. And somehow I got it.

* Karolina studies at the Aleksander Zelwerowicz National Academy of Dramatic Art in Warsaw, Białystok branch

Marta, you are a professional actress and you perform in theaters, series and films. Have you been involved in World War II priod productions before? Is this subject difficult for you?

Yes, I starred in “Pilecki” (dir. by Krzyszkowski) as Maria Szelągowska, and as a partner of Marcin Kwaśny, who was the title character. I also had a bit part in the “Stulecie Winnych” series, in the episode that was taking place during World War II.

It would be hard to say that this is not a difficult subject. I am the kind of a person in whom injustice and human suffering evoke a very strong objection and stimulate action to eliminate such situations.

I think that in this respect, the character of Jadwiga Wolska is truly inspiring. Her strong personality and outstanding resourcefulness were remarkable. I hope that I was able to animate her manner of being and specific aura that accompanied her when I played the role. I am fascinated by strong women, so I am also personally glad that for this project Maria Molenda has chosen the three women and their stories. Thanks to that I was able to learn about such interesting stories of the exceptional people.

I feel that Jadwiga as a character is very dear to my heart, because I find many similarities between her and me. I also think that this is an important story, because it does not repeat the martyrological pattern. And while we can not change the misfortunes and cruelties that affected so many people, Jadwiga to me seems to be a triumphant character, using all of their strenghts to help others.

Did Jadwiga Wolska interest you? Is it a character that will stay with you longer?

Absolutely! Jadwiga Wolska is an unusual figure. Her pro-social behavior, but also her wits and and great ability to win others over, helped a lot of people. It is said that one could either love Jadwiga or dislike her, and for me it is a sign of a strong, tenacious woman, consistent in her decisions. She had a lot of charm and knew how to use it for her (and in this case: common) benefit. I think that her personality raised people’s spirit. In my opinion, she did not respond to problems with sadness and helplessness, but she would treat them as challenges that need solutions.

The “War Triptych” is a short film, made up of several costume scenes, was any one of them a challenge for you?

I think that the scene in which Jadwiga witnesses the arrest and interrogation of a young man by the Nazi soldiers. I am a person who can not be indifferent to situations where people are attacked because of their descent, orientation, skin color, gender, etc. More than once that has put me in potentially dangerous situations, but inside I feel I cannot let myself to be a conformist and simply pretend that nothing is happening.

While shooting this scene I have realized that back then reaction bore much more serious consequences and potential repressions. People who have acted on behalf of others and helped them in different ways are true heroes, and unfortunately many of them have suffered the consequences under that cruel regime.