Author: Franek Wolski
History teaches us that humanity has learned nothing from it.
Is Hegel’s idea—that every historical situation is unique and that the past offers no ready-made solutions for the present—true?
Vladimir Putin interprets the history of the twentieth century through the lens of imperial Russia. The aggression against Ukraine has shown that historical manipulation can be used to justify a modern policy of conquest.
The film returns to Versailles, Rapallo, and the alliance between Stalin and Hitler. Unique archival footage and commentary from historians reveal the mechanisms of propaganda that allow old lies to return in new forms.
Can the lessons of twentieth-century history help us avoid the mistakes of our ancestors?
Creators and Cast
Written by Mirosław Bork
Directed by Mirosław Bork
Cinematography Marek Traskowski, Krystian Matysek
Music by Marek Kuczyński
Edited by Mariusz Tytoń PSM
Production Sound Adam Mart, Mariusz Bielecki
Re-recording Mixing Adam Mart, Julia Wesołek
Historical Consultants Anne Applebaum, prof. Marek Kornat, prof. Grzegorz Nowik
Narrated by Radosław Popłonikowski
Production Management Magdalena Nowacka-Flakiewicz, [Janusz Marzec]
Research Ida Bork-Buszkowska
Makeup Oliwia Bugaj
Additional Cinematography Piotr Janczar, Joel Blue Pellicano
Production Assistance Ida Bork-Buszkowska, Elena Petlarskaja, Aleksander Trąbczyński
Production Administrator Dorota Zakrzewska
Translated by Ida Bork-Buszkowska, Mirosław Michalczak
Legal Services Janusz Buszkowski
Music Consultant Małgorzata Przedpełska-Bieniek
Graphic Design by Studio Abstract, Andrzej Bobek
Digital Restoration of Archival Photographs Natalia Bobek
Cast
Anne Applebaum,
dr Yuri Felshtinsky,
dr Krzysztof Fudalej,
prof. Marek Kornat,
dr Jan Lipinsky,
prof. Grzegorz Nowik,
prof. Kimmo Rentola,
Piotr Skwieciński,
Rusłan Szoszyn