CAREER OF NIKODEM DYZMA

dir. Jan Rybkowski, Marek Nowicki, 1980

Polish seven-episode television series, which premiered in 1980.  The script was based on Tadeusz Dołęga - Mostowicz's book of the same title. The director of the series was Jan Rybkowski, and when he fell seriously ill while working on the set, it fell to Marek Nowicki, co-writer and cinematographer, to complete the production. The story takes place in the 1920s. A newcomer from the provincial town of Łysków, Nikodem Dyzma (played by Roman Wilhelmi), unsuccessfully seeking employment in the capital city, by pure chance comes into possession of an invitation to a banquet given by the Prime Minister. Dyzma puts on his best clothes and, unsure if his plan will succeed, turns up at the specified place and time. He knows what hunger is, so he almost throws himself at the tables laden with food. However, before the first bite reaches his mouth, the hurriedly passing Prime Minister's Office chief Jan Terkowski (played by Mariusz Dmochowski) accidentally knocks the plate out of Dyzma's hands. Dyzma is furious and makes a ruckus with Terkowski, which draws the attention of all the guests. Among them are the very cream of the political crop, businessmen and aristocracy. Who could have guessed that this sudden outburst of rage would not only deconfirm Dyzma as an uninvited random guest, but on the contrary - it would be the beginning of a thriving career.

The usurper gains recognition among Terkowski's opponents: Colonel Wareda (the excellent Leonard Pietraszak) and the Minister of Agriculture, Jaszuński (played by Tadeusz Pluciński, a regular amateur of the time). Although Dyzma initially feels lost in the whole situation, some sixth sense tells him to continue playing his part. Observing the whole incident, provincial businessman and landowner Leon Kunicki (played by Bronisław Pawlik) tries to ingratiate himself with Dyzma, believing him to be an influential man with extensive contacts at the Ministry of Agriculture. From word to word, Kunicki offers his new acquaintance the administration of his entire estate. Letting himself go with the flow and unable to believe in his own luck, Dyzma accepts the post and soon leaves for the Koborów estate. From that moment on, his life takes a turn for the better. Power, money, the adoration of women, recognition among the elite, all built on a great deception.

Among the most notable film locations of the “Career of Nikodem Dyzma” series were:

Grażyna and Kiejstut Bacewicz Academy of Music

The former residence of Karol Poznański is Hotel Europa in the series. In front of the hotel, Dyzma tries his luck as a car door opener for the guests leaving. Suddenly, he notices an envelope lying on the ground, which must have fallen out of one of the guests' pockets. He picks it up and looks at it. The doorman on his way out of the hotel tries to force Dyzma to hand over the find, but he has no intention of doing so and, making a meaningful gesture towards the doorman, flees down 1-go Maja Street.

Villa of Zygmunt Richter 19 Stefanowskiego Street

Here is the scene of a rave given by the Prime Minister, at which, as a result of a happy coincidence, Nikodem Dyzma appears. The incident of the salad being knocked out of his hands by the head of the Prime Minister's Office changes the life of a mandolin player from the province and opens the door to a career path for him

Former headquarters of the Cotton Products Joint-Stock Company ‘Ludwik Geyer’, 74 Piotrkowska Street

The imposing building at the junction of Piotrkowska and Moniuszki Streets is the headquarters of the Warsaw Grain Bank in the series. At the peak of his career, Dyzma is appointed its director. In order to hide his incompetence, he makes Countess Przełęska's intelligent lover, Zygmunt ‘Zyz’ Krzepicki (Jerzy Bończak), his main advisor.

However, the photographs were only taken on the outside. The banking interiors are already the Biedermann palace on ⅕ Franciszkańska Street.

Moniuszki Street

At the address 1 Moniuszki  was the serial's Splendid cinema. In the opening scene, Dyzma stands in front of its window. However, he cannot afford a ticket, so he resignedly walks away in the direction of Piotrkowska street. When we see him again in this area, he is already the director of the Grain Bank

Casanova, 87 Zachodnia Street

A scene in which Nikodem Dyzma tries to find employment as a fordancer was filmed in a legendary club in Łódź. The owner of the club, however, ridicules his skills, which in his opinion are enough for Hrubieszów, but not for Warsaw or Paris of the north.