The Power of Komasa Brothers
Brothers Jan and Szymon Komasa are among the leading artistic voices of their generation. For their contribution to the Polish art scene, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker Jan and internationally acclaimed opera singer Szymon will be jointly recognized at the 2023 KF Washington DC Gala Dinner and Dance. Before this event, they spoke with the Kosciuszko Foundation about their artistic family, inspirations, values, and plans.
PLEASE JOIN US ON DECEMBER 2, 2023, AT THE KF DC ANNUAL GALA DINNER AND DANCE AND MEET THE TALENTED KOMASA BROTHERS IN PERSON.
Interviews by Anna Tarnawska, KF Development Manager
Jan Komasa/ Photo by Zuza Krajewska
Jan Komasa – Polish Sensitivity in Hollywood
The KF: Starting with when you were a child, you dedicated yourself to various artistic endeavors. You studied music and were an actor in children’s TV shows, just to mention two. You also completed a year of philosophical studies before entering the Lodz Film School. What inspired you to choose filmmaking as your future profession?
Jan Komasa: I always loved the emotional journey that storytelling could bring you into. I felt fascinated by how powerful creating worlds could be. I saw it in my father’s work when he dedicated all of his energy and immersed himself in every project, whether it was on a stage or film set. From the first moment, I can recall, I was, in a way, one step away from leaping into the realm of imagination. On a practical note, I experimented with many different disciplines – from painting to writing – and found that directing combines all of them without the necessity of excelling at any.
Photo: Jan Komasa with his father Wieslaw Komasa/ Courtesy of Komasa Family
The KF: The subjects of your films span a wide gamut, not only historical events (“Warsaw 44 “, “Wroclaw’s Golgotha”) but also problems of the contemporary world (“Ode to Joy,” “Hater,” “Suicide Room”). How do you choose the subjects of your movies? What do they have in common despite these topics’ polarity?
JK: I always try to find something I haven’t yet approached. I like to feel challenged by a new genre, the size of the production, or a type of narration. “Warsaw 44” was a big-budget production in which I felt I needed to build a certain form of pathos and clash it with the tackiness of pop culture to mold a new flavor that I hadn’t yet seen in films. But with a big operatic backdrop as a setting, I attempted to show the journey of the leading characters. This is probably what I really like to explore – build characters and try to use the span of time I have between the first and the last second to introduce them to the viewer.
The KF: You are a great observer of current reality, young people’s struggles, challenges of technology, etc. How did you manage to engage with this environment so ably?
JK: I essentially try to stick to what I find interesting in daily life. Sometimes, I let the subject find me; an example would be when “Corpus Christi” was sent to me by my friend, who is a producer. Other times, I just try to be open to reality and go where I feel the energy that resonates with me.
The KF: In “Warsaw Uprising,” you used the rare technique of mixing historical documentary footage with scenes played by actors. What was the process of working with this method? And how did you proceed with ingathering and restoring the archival footage?
JK: It was an exceptional opportunity that occurred thanks to the directors of the Warsaw Uprising Museum. They got a hold of the mostly unseen footage and decided to invest in restoring it. They just needed to find an organizing thought to link it and asked me if I had any idea how to make the footage speak in its own voice. I spent a fair amount of time with the museum’s historians and finally was ready to present my version of the story. I hadn’t had many external references, and it motivated me to come up with something completely new. That’s when I came up with the idea of found footage and lip-reading from the silent archives. Happily, it all met with the approval of the museum’s directors.
The KF: “Corpus Christi” was nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 92 Academy Awards. The film is inspired by the true story of a young man who decides to pretend to be a priest after leaving a youth detention center. What was so universal in this story that spoke to viewers worldwide?
JK: I think that the film shows a universal desire to be part of a community, any community, and the search for acceptance. It seems like audiences like stark contrasts – criminals vs innocents, deception vs. faith. “Corpus Christi,” at its core, starts with a contrasting setup, one that probably isn’t that close to most of viewers. This, too, is probably one of the mysteries of storytelling – sometimes, people want to find themselves in the reflection of the most unlikely situation.
The KF: After several widely acclaimed productions in Poland and Europe, you are now working on your first Hollywood movie. “Anniversary” is a thriller featuring American movie stars Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, and Madeline Brewer. In addition to directing the picture, you are also the script co-author. Can you tell us more about this production? How different is working with a Hollywood cast? And when can we expect the movie to premiere?
JK: I wanted to cooperate with those amazing producers and actors and was and still am simply happy to be able to work on the material that I co-wrote. I’m also intrigued to see what happens when I bring my Central European sensitivity and translate it into a different setting. There are so many similarities between how American and Polish societies reacted to the turbulent socio-political situation of the last couple of years. I wanted to create a dystopian thriller that leads us towards something different than we can now imagine. The film is still in the making, so I hope the movie will be ready by mid-2024.
Photo: Lodz Film School – Zorro2212, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The KF: In addition to creating your own films, you also teach at the Lodz Film School. What can you tell about the emerging generation of Polish filmmakers? What trends can we expect in Polish films in the upcoming years?
JK: I believe that at the end of every road, our job is to share our experiences with others to try to make the world a better place. That was always my goal, and teaching is just this – sharing. I’m trying to encourage young talents to be bold and explore the world, become scientists of the human soul and experience, and if they succeed – share it with others as well. I think that the style of Polish storytelling has detached itself from what was so pervasive when I was studying 20 years ago. At that time, it was all about a pretty strict recreation of reality, which was probably influenced by a very strong Polish documentary wave. This is something Poles were always great at – reporting about reality, sticking close to it, and finding the truth behind masks and forms. It, despite many shining exceptions, also made us, directors, feel under pressure to think about films as reports from daily life more than as our own imaginative creation. Today, I feel this, and I cherish all of those students who feel emboldened to experiment with the genre and just mix different flavors to find some exciting new tastes.
The KF: We are thrilled to award you, together with your brother Szymon with the KF 2023 Pioneer Award! And how do you feel about this distinction?
JK: I feel humbled knowing who the previous recipient of your respected award was before my brother and I were selected. Also, I feel excited to share this experience with Szymon – our fascination with film developed concurrently. We watched every movie together while growing up. I always treated Szymon as my closest partner on my film journey. But most importantly, I know he’s a genius, a great talent of unrestrained imagination and sensitivity. That’s why I’m excited to see him being able to shine before the Washingtonian audience.
Szymon Komasa/ Photo by Jakub Plesniarski
Szymon Komasa: “KF Marcella Sembrich Voice Competition Gave Me the Power to Work Harder”
The KF: You started your musical education by playing cello, later graduating from the Karol Szymanowski State Music High School in Warsaw. Coming from such an artistic family – your father, Wieslaw Komasa, is a movie director and actor – were you predestined to become an artist?
Szymon Komasa: Probably…I don’t know; I don’t ask myself that question. I felt the need to sing since I was a little boy. I just had this urge to sing my heart out every day. It was an internal need. I couldn’t stop it. I knew precisely that I would be an artist since I was a little boy. What I didn’t know was that this profession, at the end of the day, has nothing to do with being a great artist. I had to learn how to be a grown-up man, fight for myself, and always be in accord with every artistic decision I made. It is tough work, and mentally, I was not meant to do this job. Nonetheless, my heart is my heart, and I had to follow where it calls me.
The KF: Following this path, you graduated from the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and Juilliard School in New York. Education in various forms is our primary role at the KF. What role did it play in your life, and how do you remember your student life in NYC?
SK: I recall my years at Juilliard as difficult ones. Juilliard is a huge machine, and I couldn’t find myself there. I am glad I met Stephen Wadsworth, who was my mentor at Juilliard and helped me survive this school. I am happier to be out of school and just live as an artist.
Photo: Szymon with his mother Gina Komasa, twin sister Mary Komasa and younger sister Zofia Komasa/ Courtesy of the Komasa Family
The KF: At Julliard, you studied in the vocal class of Canadian soprano Edith Wiens and attended masterclasses with American coloratura mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato. What was your experience of working with those two outstanding artists?
SK: Joyce’s experience gave me a lot. I respect her enormously as an artist; meeting her was just very important for me. I saw her some years ago as a student in London when she was performing at the Royal Opera House, and I thought, “I want to be an artist like that.” She is radiant on stage – calm and very, very smart, an elegant artist. You can sense she is not only singing the part. She knows exactly what she wants to give you with her singing. She knows why she comes on that stage every night. She is definitely serving the art in an expanded manner. Edith was my teacher at Juilliard, and I liked her as a colleague. I think she can give students good advice and has immense energy, which people want to be around.
The KF: Around the same time, in 2013, you took first place in the KF Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition. How did this experience influence your artistic career?
Photo: Szymon Komasa is the winner of The 2013 KF Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition
SK: It was during my difficult years as a student at Juilliard. That competition gave me so much energy and power to work harder. I met Mariusz Kwiecien, who attended the competition as a listener. That encounter changed my life. Mariusz has always been my idol since I was very young. He gave me incredible advice after each round of the competition. I loved the atmosphere there, and I was fortunate that my twin sister Mary was in NYC to support me at the time.
The KF: The Foundation honors you and your brother with the 2023 Pioneer Award at the KF DC Gala. How do you feel about it?
SK: I feel extremely blessed and honored. I love my brother very much, and receiving an award with him feels like heaven. I admire my brother deeply. He is an artist who is focused, determined and loves his job. He is also my friend, and I respect his opinion greatly. I am just so energized to be able to share this incredible moment of receiving the award with him. It will be an unforgettable memory.
I want to thank everyone who decided to award us this year. Thank you!
Photo: Brothers Komasa/ Courtesy of Komasa family
The KF: How is your relationship with your sisters? You are the twin brother of Berlin-based singer Mary Komasa and the older brother of Zofia, a costume designer.
SK: We are all best friends. We call each other every day. Even a couple of times a day. We support and annoy each other, but we are in this together. Every one of us is an artist. We understand what the word “rejection” means. It hurts. Our jobs hurt every day. It is a struggle, tears and sweat. That’s why when I call them, I know that they will know exactly what I am talking about when I say: “I wanted this so bad, and I didn’t get it.” I love my siblings, and I feel so lucky to have them.
Photo: Szymon with his mother Gina and twin sister Mary Komasa / Courtesy of Komasa Family
The KF: You also recently became an uncle.
SK: Of Victor. Who looks exactly like me. I hope it is a good thing [laughs]. Seeing this little one growing, smiling, and learning about the world is such a beautiful thing. I hope to be there when he becomes an adult man. I want to see who we will become.
The KF: The Polish opera scene is currently on a world-class level; it sets trends. Our singers, including yourself, perform worldwide with success. To what does Poland owe these successes?
SK: Our language sets our speaking voices into that deep, soft side. That’s why Polish opera singers have these unique, beautiful tones when they sing. Also, Polish people are very ambitious, and they learn languages quickly! And that’s extremely important for opera.
Photo: Szymon Komasa at the Kosciusko Foundation in New York.
The KF: Besides classical works, you also perform in a lighter repertoire. I’ll just mention your recent album – the interpretation of songs of the Kabaret Starszych Panów (Elderly Gentlemen’s Cabaret). Is this a direction you would like to pursue from now on? How do these two genres differ, and in which do you feel better?
SK: I feel no difference between singing lighter music or opera. I put the same amount of energy, love, and heart into it. I love doing both, but right now, my calendar is so full of opera performances that I simply do not have time to do other things. But when I get a nice offer to sing cabaret songs, I will definitely do that.
The KF: What are your current work plans and artistic assignments?
SK: I work a lot in Europe. I am currently working in an opera house in Vienna. Follow my social media, and you will find out everything important there [Smiles].
The KF: On behalf of the KF and myself, I congratulate you on the 2023 KF Pioneer Award and thank you for accepting our Gala invitation. Please accept our wishes that all your dreams come true on your artistic path. What do you dream about?
SK: My dreams are very simple. I want to drive an open-roof Cabrio in Italy and enjoy my life, Sun, friends, water, and wine. I want to get to a point in my life when I will be able to do that. That’s it [Smiles].
The KF: Thank you, and see you in Washington at the KF DC Gala Dinner & Dance!
SK: I would like to thank you all who made this event possible, and I wish you all a lot of strength, health, and good energy.
PLEASE JOIN US ON DECEMBER 2, 2023, AT THE KF DC ANNUAL GALA DINNER AND DANCE TO MEET THE TALENTED KOMASA BROTHERS IN PERSON.
