MOJ NIKIFOR (MY NIKIFOR)

Poland, 2004, 97 minutes, Colour.
Krystyna Feldman, Roman Gancarczyk, Lucyna Malec.
Directed by Krzystof Krauze.

Moj Nikifor is the story of the ‘naïve artist’, Nikifor Krynicki. Nikifor lived on the margins of society, sometimes on the streets. His work was on scraps of paper or anything that was lying about. Towards the last years of his life he became more famous, and his fame spread after his death in 1968.

Given the subject of the film, it is somewhat glum at times in its portrait of the cranky Nikifor and in the struggles of the artist Wlosinski who took him under his wing, had to re-examine his own artistic capabilities, alienated him from his wife because of his helping Nikifor.

What is particularly striking about the film is that Nikifor is played by a woman. Krystyna Feldman won many acting awards for this performance. Audiences not knowing that the old and unkempt Nikifor was being played by a woman, would never guess.

This film takes its place among the many portraits of visual artists.

1.The impact of the film? Interest in Nikifor? His career, life? The quality of his art?

2.The re-creation of Poland in the 1960s? The communist era? The drab aspects of life in the countryside? The country town? The world of art, the world of social communication? The world of the artists? The musical score?

3.The portrait of Nikifor, the fact that the performance was from a woman? The appearance, the makeup, the voice? The personality of Nikifor, his being alone, never marrying, saying that he was sick in the head? His art over the decades, on scraps, his skills? Naïve art? The encounter with Wlosinski? His going into the studio? The cultural venue, the work that Wlosinski was doing? Nikifor and the criticisms? Wlosinski’s negative reaction? The change, appreciating Nikifor’s art? Nikifor and the way of life, relying on Wlosinski? His work over the years?

4.Wlosinski, as a person, his doing the government commission, a routine work of art? Finding Nikifor, his reaction, taking him in? His life in the studio? Nikifor’s criticism of his work? Wlosinski’s own life, relationship with his wife? Her help with Nikifor, finding it too demanding? The family, the children?

5.Wlosinski and his investigating Nikifor’s identity? The discussions with the landlady, with Mr Budnik, with the priest? Searching the records? No documents for Nikifor?

6.The visit to the church, Nikifor and his comments about religious subjects, his criticism of Wlosinski’s religious belief – and lack of belief? Urging him not to paint religious work?

7.Hania, her relationship with her husband, their daughters, her criticisms of her husband and his attention to Nikifor?

8.Budnik, his friendship with Nikifor, the discussions about Nikifor’s health, going for the x-ray, the TB?

9.Nikifor, his doing his own paintings over Wlosinski’s own painting, the damage?

10.Nowak, the cultural attaché, his attitude towards Nikifor and allowing him to stay? The illness and Nikifor having to leave the studio?

11.Wlosinski, his going to Nikifor’s village, Nikifor and his memories of his life? Their work together, Nikifor and his continued criticisms?

12.Nikifor, hospital? Wlosinski and the effect of the experience with Nikifor, not accepting the promotion? Her leaving him? Wlosinski and his discussions with his father, his concerns about his own talent?

13.1967, the exhibition, Nikifor and his reaction to the celebrations? His going into the street, sitting there, begging? Wlosinski finding him? His gradual deterioration, his death?

14.His not actually dying, Wlosinski and Hania and her joining him again? Nikifor dying later?

15.The insight into an eccentric mentality? His artistic talent? His way of life in his era, in his national context? The background of communist Poland and Nikifor’s life being a reflection of this rather repressive regime?