Shooting in the U.S. for the first time, Wajda meditates on the grey area between art and life through the story of John/Jan Lasocki (John Gielgud), an internationally famous orchestra conductor who emigrated from his native Poland 50 years earlier. Marta (Krystyna Janda), the daughter of his first love, seeks him out, arousing an interest Lasocki has not known in years. He even agrees to return to Poland and conduct the provincial orchestra in which Marta is a featured soloist—hardly welcome news to Adam (Andrzej Seweryn), her husband and the orchestra’s regular conductor, who is rumored to have won his position through party connections.

Please note that the February 10 screening of this film will take place in the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center.