BLIND CHANCE

dir. Krzysztof Kieślowski, 1987

A moving psychological portrait of a young man, presented in a way that is out of the ordinary for a film narrative. Witek, a medical student (Bogusław Linda), after the death of his father, decides to take a dean’s leave and go to Warsaw. He hurriedly buys a ticket at the station and runs onto the platform. However, it turns out that the train has already started. Witek does not give up and, holding a heavy bag in his hand, begins to chase it with all his might. His future life depends on whether or not he manages to get on the train. His fate is arranged in three possible scenarios. In the first one, the boy manages to get into the last carriage. On the train, he meets an old communist, Werner (Tadeusz Łomnicki), thanks to whom Witek soon begins a career in a communist youth organization. In the second version of the biography, he fails to catch up with the train. On the platform, he gets into a fight with a railroad guard who tries to stop him, for which he is sentenced to a month of unpaid community service. While serving his sentence, he meets an oppositionist, Marek (Jacek Borkowski) who draws him into his circle. Witek starts working in a secret printing shop. In the third variant, he also fails to jump onto the speeding train. On his way back from the train station, he meets Olga, a fellow student. Thanks to her, she is going back to college. They get married soon and a child is born. After completing his diploma, Witek starts working as a doctor and is offered a vacancy at the university. In this storyline, he does not get involved in politics, trying to remain neutral.

Almost everything in Witek’s life is a coincidence – the place he finds himself, the people he meets, and consequently the ideas he will live by.

However, in all versions of the biography, regardless of the circumstances, listening to his inner voice, he always remains true to his conscience.

The film was shot in the spring and summer of 1981, but it was not made public at the time due to martial law. It could not be seen on screens until 6 years later, and in a much truncated form by the censors.

Read more about film: IMDB.com.

Łódź Fabryczna railway station

The most famous train station scene in Polish cinema was filmed at Łódź Fabryczna railway station. In the film, we can see it three times. His future life depends on whether Witek manages to get on the train. The camera catches him from among the crowd as he hurriedly runs into the station and briefly stops by a woman in a woollen shawl who, hit by the boy, spills the money. One of the coins ends up in the hands of a random finder who immediately spends it on a pint of beer. Meanwhile, Witek pushes his way to the station’s ticket office. When he runs out onto the platform, it turns out that the train has already started, so without a second thought he sets off in pursuit. Henceforth, the story is divided into three storylines.

[caption id="attachment_2197" align="alignnone" width="975"] Blind chance, dir. Krzysztof Kieślowski[/caption]

Józef Richter Villa, 10/12 rev. Skorupki Street

At the time when the Registry Office was located in the Richter Villa, a wedding scene was shot here. In the third version of the story, Witek Długosz (Bogusław Linda) marries there college friend Olga Matwiszyn (Monika Goździk). Just before the ceremony, Olga tells Witek that she is expecting a baby. During the marriage vows, Witek finds it hard to hide his joy.

[caption id="attachment_2082" align="alignnone" width="976"] Blind chance, dir. Krzysztof Kieślowski[/caption]

The European Institute, 262 Piotrkowska Street

The presentable driveway in front of the Schweikert Palace and the semi-circular portico serve as the backdrop for a group photo of 1978 medical graduates. Among them is Witek (Bogusław Linda), who, in the third version of the biography, stays in Lodz, graduates from medical school and starts working as a doctor.

[caption id="attachment_2062" align="alignnone" width="976"] Blind chance, dir. Krzysztof Kieślowski[/caption]