HENRYK WARS, A SONGSTER OF WARSAW

POLISH TITLE: HENRYK WARS PIEŚNIARZ WARSZAWY

Henryk Wars (Warszawski), 1902-1977, world-wide famous composer of music for over 50 films in Poland before WWII and for over 60 films abroad thereafter, mainly produced in Hollywood film studios. He has also written numerous popular hit songs, for which he has been nicknamed “A Songster of Warsaw”. When on the post-WWII exile, he provided songs for Brenda Lee, Doris Day, Bing Crosby, and Margaret Whiting. The songs he wrote in Warsaw before WWII have survived until now and are still performed by contemporary pop stars.

This film tells the story of this extraordinary artist and Polish patriot.

It was produced nearly 30 years after the composer's death and is based on memories contributed by his family, friends, and associates interviewed on three continents: North America, in Hollywood, where Mr. Wars worked and lived and where still live his widow Elżbieta Vars and son Robert Vars; in Europe, in London, where lives Hanryk Wars Orchestra’s principal soloist and General Anders’ widow Mrs. Renata Bogdańska; and in Australia, where lives the orchestra’s another principal soloist, Mr. Gwidon Borucki. The film also showcases some archive material, including the Polish Newsreel footage from 1936 and 1967; fragments of documentary film account of the battle trail of General Anders’ Army The Great Road, produced in Italy, directed by Michal Waszynski, starring Renata Bogdańska, and provided with soundtrack music by Henryk Wars; as well as film and TV renderings of his greatest hits by old and contemporary singers.

GENRE:

documentary

COUNTRY:

Polska

RUNNING TIME:

57'

YEAR:

2007/2009

DIRECTING:

Wiesław Dąbrowski

SCRIPT:

Wiesław Dąbrowski

DOP:

Kamil Dąbrowski

EDITOR:

Marcin Mikołaj Mironowicz

PRODUCTION:

Agencja Artystyczna "Partus"