Henryk Sienkiewicz
The Teutonic Knights
Performance Description
Drawing on the history of Poland’s clash with the power of the Teutonic Order, Henryk Sienkiewicz created a story that quickly became much more than a history lesson. Based on medieval chronicles, he built a sweeping vision of struggle, loyalty and national resistance at a time when Poles themselves needed symbolic support.
The Teutonic Knights is not only a literary classic, but also a manifesto of hope and cultural strength that survived despite political oppression. Once again, the director confronts Polish myths. Beneath the pastiche, grotesque and comic-book aesthetics, we find the world of today. Instead of Sienkiewicz’s message of national consolation, we are given an image of the disintegration of national community.
Jan Klata received the First Prize and the Best Director Award at the Kontakt Festival in 2009 for his production of The Danton Case.
