- Occupation
Producer, Director - Country
Poland
Cuske Maciej
On the Sky, on Earth
A group of supernatural phenomena aficionados comes to a small town Wylatowo (Takeoffville). Just like every year, they expect extraordinary signs to appear in the grain field. One of the investigators was almost kidnapped by a UFO. Yet he doesn't give up and he tries at any cost to prove the extraterrestrials' existence.
Medical Treatment
Ciechocinek, a famous spa in Poland is visited each year by thousands of people. In a short period of time they want to be cured and feel better - both physically and emotionally. The characters of a film meet in one sanatorium - they get their medical treatment, but also enjoy their strolls in a summer sun, concerts and dancing parties. Three weeks spent together is not much, but may be enough to find happiness.
Suburban Train
Moscow's famous electric train starts off at the station. Some people doze off, others read; others are deeply involved in their own thoughts. We hear some snippets of conversations and mobile phones ringing. Someone tries to sell beautifully embroidered table cloths; a lovely little cat escapes from someone's basket. Sometimes a jazz ensemble plays on the train or a single accordion player sings "Spasiba, izn..." The film was made as a part of the programme 'Poland - Russia. A New Look.
Andrzej Wajda: Let's shoot!
A record of a few months of struggle on the set, showing an atmosphere of work and a picture of immense film machinery, and at same time presenting the truest and intimate portrait of the Master of Polish Cinema, the Oscar winner. In 1957 Andrzej Wajda won the Silver Palm in Cannes for his film 'Canal', along with 'Seventh seal' by Ingmar Bergman. We meet him 50 years later, as the author of many important films, such as 'Ashes and Diamonds', 'Man of Marble' or 'Danton', now directing one the most important films in his career, 'Katyn', about the massacre in which thousands of Polish officers, including Wajda's father, were murdered by the Soviets, during World War II - a tragedy left unspoken for decades. During the shooting of the film, 4 young documentary filmmakers - his former students had a chance to get closer and see how their Master works on his most intimate story. Extraordinary for his sensitivity, immeasurable passion, the feeling of mission and great diligence. But also in moments of tiredness, joy, failures, in conversations with people. Perhaps it is only on the set where one can see what Andrzej Wajda really is like.
III. Remember the Sabbath Day to Keep it Holy
A film from the Decalogue series. In a few months Staś is going to take his First Communion. It is an intensive period of preparations, spiritual and material ones. Each person in the family experiences it differently. Grandparents, parents and the very hero. On such occasions a generation gap becomes apparent. Life goes on in its own rhythm; the time of the holiday is approaching...Insightful observation with "a patient eye" of the camera that the director points at his family and, obviously, at himself.
THE SECOND HAND BOOKSTORE
The small second-hand bookshop in Warsaw's Żoliborz neighbourhood is not merely a place where one buys and sells books. Most of all, it is a meeting place for people who discuss their lives and other minor issues with the owner - Mr. Krzyś [Chris]. Certainly, he is a colourful persona, whose knowledge of books is equally as wide as his knowledge of the "human specimen". He is like a doctor who seems to know both the ailment of each of his patients as well as its cure. Though Mr. Krzyś can be nonchalant or even rough at times, his character makes the shop full of human warmth, not just dust. "The young author's choice of setting for a documentary observation was the source of his success. A cramped second-hand bookshop in Żoliborz, busy with clients from dawn to dusk, proved to be the very space, in which the proverbial 'our reality' manifested itself very distinctively, comprehensively, and - what is more - with a certain charm." (Tadeusz Lubelski, "Kino") "Just like the fans of Wayne Wang's 'Smoke' were looking for Harvey Keitel's tobacco shop in Brooklyn, Cuske's fans search Żoliborz for Mr. Krzyś bookshop, which, compared to the former, has the certain advantage of being a real place." (Tadeusz Sobolewski, "Gazeta Wyborcza")
Kruzenshtern
Sailing ship „Kruzenshtern” is the Russian pride. Documentary film of Maciej Cuske tells the story about training cruise for future shipmen of the Russian Merchant Navy.
Silence I
First task of the documentary students, taking part in the first Documentary Course was to make the three-minute short films entitled “Silence”. Each of them interpreted this term differently. Six of the shorts were chosen and put together in a set, touching much profound matter than the original aim of a student’s task.
Far from the City
A group of boys stays in the countryside for the summer, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Bored, they spend time talking about their future adult life and make a film. It brings back the memories of childhood holidays that lasted forever. There was enough time to do anything: sleep in a tent or talk about ghosts at night. "They are just a different race", as one of the protagonists says. The boys are still immature - they can still have a serious discussion about the Bermuda Triangle.
A group of supernatural phenomena aficionados comes to a small town Wylatowo (Takeoffville). Just like every year, they expect extraordinary signs to appear in the grain field. One of the investigators was almost kidnapped by a UFO. Yet he doesn't give up and he tries at any cost to prove the extraterrestrials' existence.
Medical Treatment
Ciechocinek, a famous spa in Poland is visited each year by thousands of people. In a short period of time they want to be cured and feel better - both physically and emotionally. The characters of a film meet in one sanatorium - they get their medical treatment, but also enjoy their strolls in a summer sun, concerts and dancing parties. Three weeks spent together is not much, but may be enough to find happiness.
Suburban Train
Moscow's famous electric train starts off at the station. Some people doze off, others read; others are deeply involved in their own thoughts. We hear some snippets of conversations and mobile phones ringing. Someone tries to sell beautifully embroidered table cloths; a lovely little cat escapes from someone's basket. Sometimes a jazz ensemble plays on the train or a single accordion player sings "Spasiba, izn..." The film was made as a part of the programme 'Poland - Russia. A New Look.
Andrzej Wajda: Let's shoot!
A record of a few months of struggle on the set, showing an atmosphere of work and a picture of immense film machinery, and at same time presenting the truest and intimate portrait of the Master of Polish Cinema, the Oscar winner. In 1957 Andrzej Wajda won the Silver Palm in Cannes for his film 'Canal', along with 'Seventh seal' by Ingmar Bergman. We meet him 50 years later, as the author of many important films, such as 'Ashes and Diamonds', 'Man of Marble' or 'Danton', now directing one the most important films in his career, 'Katyn', about the massacre in which thousands of Polish officers, including Wajda's father, were murdered by the Soviets, during World War II - a tragedy left unspoken for decades. During the shooting of the film, 4 young documentary filmmakers - his former students had a chance to get closer and see how their Master works on his most intimate story. Extraordinary for his sensitivity, immeasurable passion, the feeling of mission and great diligence. But also in moments of tiredness, joy, failures, in conversations with people. Perhaps it is only on the set where one can see what Andrzej Wajda really is like.
III. Remember the Sabbath Day to Keep it Holy
A film from the Decalogue series. In a few months Staś is going to take his First Communion. It is an intensive period of preparations, spiritual and material ones. Each person in the family experiences it differently. Grandparents, parents and the very hero. On such occasions a generation gap becomes apparent. Life goes on in its own rhythm; the time of the holiday is approaching...Insightful observation with "a patient eye" of the camera that the director points at his family and, obviously, at himself.
THE SECOND HAND BOOKSTORE
The small second-hand bookshop in Warsaw's Żoliborz neighbourhood is not merely a place where one buys and sells books. Most of all, it is a meeting place for people who discuss their lives and other minor issues with the owner - Mr. Krzyś [Chris]. Certainly, he is a colourful persona, whose knowledge of books is equally as wide as his knowledge of the "human specimen". He is like a doctor who seems to know both the ailment of each of his patients as well as its cure. Though Mr. Krzyś can be nonchalant or even rough at times, his character makes the shop full of human warmth, not just dust. "The young author's choice of setting for a documentary observation was the source of his success. A cramped second-hand bookshop in Żoliborz, busy with clients from dawn to dusk, proved to be the very space, in which the proverbial 'our reality' manifested itself very distinctively, comprehensively, and - what is more - with a certain charm." (Tadeusz Lubelski, "Kino") "Just like the fans of Wayne Wang's 'Smoke' were looking for Harvey Keitel's tobacco shop in Brooklyn, Cuske's fans search Żoliborz for Mr. Krzyś bookshop, which, compared to the former, has the certain advantage of being a real place." (Tadeusz Sobolewski, "Gazeta Wyborcza")
Kruzenshtern
Sailing ship „Kruzenshtern” is the Russian pride. Documentary film of Maciej Cuske tells the story about training cruise for future shipmen of the Russian Merchant Navy.
Silence I
First task of the documentary students, taking part in the first Documentary Course was to make the three-minute short films entitled “Silence”. Each of them interpreted this term differently. Six of the shorts were chosen and put together in a set, touching much profound matter than the original aim of a student’s task.
Far from the City
A group of boys stays in the countryside for the summer, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Bored, they spend time talking about their future adult life and make a film. It brings back the memories of childhood holidays that lasted forever. There was enough time to do anything: sleep in a tent or talk about ghosts at night. "They are just a different race", as one of the protagonists says. The boys are still immature - they can still have a serious discussion about the Bermuda Triangle.
Whale from Lorino
Lorino is one of the coldest places on earth and the nearest city is a few hundred kilometers away. Despite the condtitions, there is a functioning school and a community center. The forty-year old electric plant is at its full blast. There are a few open shops that sell the most basic of products. A helicopter brings supplies if the conditions allow it. In the film we will take a close look at this place and its people from the perspective of a young boy. He likes to spend time with his grandfather, who remembers the days when there was nothing on the shore, but huts made from the giant bones of whales. The only inhabitants back then where Chukchi hunters. The grandfather’s wish is to pass as much of his dying knowledge as he can. His son never listened to him, and wanted to assimilate to Russians. Today he drinks. When winter gets milder, the villagers meet to prepare for whale hunt. They sail to the Island of Ytagran, a mysterious place where their ancestors prayed for successful hunts between thousand-year old whale remains. The hunt still looks very much like it did a few hundred years ago. The majority of the Lorino population are indigenous people, ruined and tired men, who have lost their jobs in now inactive mines. They sit and wait or try to learn some of their old traditions and bring them back to life and free themselves from the regional economy and Russia. True hunting skills must also be learned. They are returning to prayers and rituals too. Unfortunately, it is a long process and it is not known if the Chukchis will survive in their natural habitat.
Lorino is one of the coldest places on earth and the nearest city is a few hundred kilometers away. Despite the condtitions, there is a functioning school and a community center. The forty-year old electric plant is at its full blast. There are a few open shops that sell the most basic of products. A helicopter brings supplies if the conditions allow it. In the film we will take a close look at this place and its people from the perspective of a young boy. He likes to spend time with his grandfather, who remembers the days when there was nothing on the shore, but huts made from the giant bones of whales. The only inhabitants back then where Chukchi hunters. The grandfather’s wish is to pass as much of his dying knowledge as he can. His son never listened to him, and wanted to assimilate to Russians. Today he drinks. When winter gets milder, the villagers meet to prepare for whale hunt. They sail to the Island of Ytagran, a mysterious place where their ancestors prayed for successful hunts between thousand-year old whale remains. The hunt still looks very much like it did a few hundred years ago. The majority of the Lorino population are indigenous people, ruined and tired men, who have lost their jobs in now inactive mines. They sit and wait or try to learn some of their old traditions and bring them back to life and free themselves from the regional economy and Russia. True hunting skills must also be learned. They are returning to prayers and rituals too. Unfortunately, it is a long process and it is not known if the Chukchis will survive in their natural habitat.
Filmmaker dedicated to independent film and music videos. In 2004 he finished Andrzej Wajda’s Film School and has been creating documentary cinema since. His main subject is plain life, where he looks for humor and warmth. In a surrounding reality, regardless of it being far away of just outside his window, he aims to find the cinema in life.
He conducts workshops for young cinematographers across Poland, and since 2007 is a part of his hometown’s Bydgoszcz Film Chronicles – a place for the young and creative- He is a member of the board of experts in the Polish Film Institute since 2009 and has been the head of a documentary course in Warsaw Film School since 2012.
Filmography (seletion):
AWAY FROM THE CITY, 54’ 2011 Documentary film. Director, script, DoP;
ANDRZEJ WAJDA; LET’S MAKE IT!, 54’ 2009 Documentary film. Co-director;
DEKALOG III. Pamiętaj abyś dzień święty święcił, 45’ 2008 Documenatry film. Director, script;
ON SKY, ON EARTH, 68’ 2007 Documentary film. Director, script;
ELEKTRYCZKA, 18’ 2006 Documentary film. Director, script;
ANTYKWARIAT , 28’ 2005; Documenatry film. Director, script.
Docu Talents From the East 2007 - 2007
East Silver Caravan - 2008
Ex Oriente Film - 2012