Polish Heritage Month Film Presentation: “The Peasants” at Elms College, MA

October is celebrated as Polish Heritage Month to honor the rich history, culture, and contributions of Polish Americans and the Polish community worldwide.

To mark this occasion, the Kosciuszko Foundation New England Chapter is proud to present “The Peasants” (Chłopi). The fully animated film was the official submission of Poland for the Best International Feature Film category of the 96th Academy Awards in 2024.

The screening will take place on Sunday, October 26 at 2:00 p.m. in the Alumnae Library Theater at Elms College. Admission is free and open to the public.

Based on the novel by Polish Nobel Price laureate Władysław Reymont (1924), published in parts between 1904 and 1909, the film is divided into four seasons, following the life of Jagna, a peasant girl in a small rural village. Determined to forge her own path in a community bound by tradition and patriarchy, Jagna becomes entangled in a web of desire, gossip, and power struggles that ultimately lead to a tragic confrontation with the world around her.

Comprised of more than 40,000 oil paintings, “The Peasants” is an awe-inspiring full-lenght picture that came from the Polish-British directing duo: Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman who received the Oscar®-nomination for Loving Vincent in 2018.

The film screening is underwritten by the Polish National Credit Union based in Chicopee, Massachusetts, providing financial service and support to communities and members for over 100 years.

About the KF New England
An honored partner with the main Kosciuszko Foundation headquartered in New York, New York, the New England Chapter presents programs and events celebrating and promoting Polish culture, history and traditions, as well as increasing awareness of the contributions of Poland to world civilization.