The first successful
heart transplant was performed in 1967. Since then the procedure has been
explored and spread worldwide and became more common and safe. Meanwhile in
Poland it was still something unbelievable even in the 80s. But then a visionary
cardiac surgeon emerged: prof. Zbigniew Religa decided he would perform the
first successful heart transplant in Poland.
Z. Religa posing with a photo of him and his
assistant after a successful operation
It wasn’t easy at all – first he had to change
the law (it stated that death occurs when heart stops beating), then he had to
get funds, find a location, equipment, employees, convince various ethical
commissions and overcome many different obstacles that stood in his way. All
his efforts were followed by a success – in 1985 he performed a cardiac
transplant. The patient however died after two months, but other procedures
endured many patients’ lives by more than 20 years, some of them live to this
day. In 1987 James L. Stanfield took a photo of Religa and his colleague after
one of the procedures – the photo won the National Geographic Photo of the Year
Award and was listed in 100 best photographs of the world.
Photo by James L. Stanfield
This year, on the 39th
Film Festival in Gdynia a movie “Bogowie” (directed by Ł. Palkowski and written
by K. Rak) was presented and won. It is a history of Religa’s struggle, his
ambitious efforts to fulfill the dream, a lonely path against his mentors and the Polish political system. The protagonist shows that
if you are consistent enough, you can accomplish whatever you want. He
overstepped the limits of the Polish medicine not worrying about the
consequences.
Photo taken at the movie premiere; the older
men are Religa’s colleagues, M. Zembala and A. Bochenek
The story is well
known and the reviews are fantastic, so I will take a more personal approach
and tell you what I liked most about this movie.
First of all – Tomasz
Kot’s performance. This movie doesn’t have many dialogues, so the body language
is very significant. I have read that Kot had been preparing for this role for
months – he was talking to many doctors and Religa’s relatives, studying and
practicing surgeons’ movements (he found out about a specific habit almost all
surgeons have –holding their left arm lower than the right one – and he
included it in his performance) etc. He pictured professor Religa very
precisely – his walk, stooping, face mimic, eye squinting and fondness for
coffee and cigarettes. He will be very well remembered for this role and that’s
a good thing, because he was absolutely perfect.
T. Kot as prof. Religa
The protagonist is
built in American style. He is idealistic, charismatic, complicated, very
inspirational and determined to accomplish his goals by any means. Very
coherent on the inside, contrasting on the outside. The viewers may approach
him from many sides and like him in a lot of different ways. But one thing
remains the same –we all wish him good luck and have our fingers crossed for
the entire movie.
It was not a
classical biography. It had a great uniform theme of the 80s (the iconographic
elements like specific language, Fiat 125p, black Wołga were funny), but the
scenery was no more than just a discreet background to the events. There were
no excessive political threads, no sentimental “how I became a surgeon”
stories, no tear-stained scenes of a lonely wife suffering. The story was shown
through a certain problem and how the protagonist dealt with it.
I loved the camera
work in this movie. Pictures were taken by P. Sobociński and he did a very good
job. I watched it and became more and more awed by the perfection of the takes.
Every single scene could be freeze-framed and placed on a wall as a great photo.
I admired the colors, composition, the depth of the field. All put together made one of the most visually
attractive films I have ever seen. I liked the music as well – it was
complementing the picture even though some songs were modern and off the theme.
A frame from the movie
This movie is about Poland and the fear of taking the first steps into
the future. It is a rebirth of polish cinematography and I hope we will see
more movies like this one soon. I highly recommend it to anyone who still
hasn’t seen it (the movie has been in the theatres since 10th
October)!
Photo sources:
Questions:
- What is your opinion on transplantology?
- Have you seen this movie? Did you enjoy it?
- What makes a good movie?
Comments
2. I have to say I am not a fan of the Polish cinema. The last Polish movie I liked was probably "Dzien Swira". I haven't seen this movie and while I can somehow appreciate the concept, I hadn't heard about it before I read this post. Also, I will recommend but will probably not watch myself, unfortunately, but thank you for sharing awareness on transplantology and issues related to it.
3. Good acting, choice of scenes, but the most important part is good screenplay and people knowing the feel of it and how it's supposed to be played.
2. Unfortunately I haven't seen his film yet, but after this interesting article I'd like to!
It really seems to be exciting.
3. Of course acting(as Paulins said "body language"), camera work, a good crew team(professionals) and the idea.
What do you mean? Do I like it or not? Yes, I do.
It should be finacially supported as every aspect branch of medicine. Medicine makes sense and is actually useful to humans in opposition to religion; therefore, public money wasted on religion should be transferred to research centers.
2. Have you seen this movie? Did you enjoy it?
No, I did not see the movie.
3. What makes a good movie?
People study hard for many years at film school to get right answer to this question. I am not eligible to elaborate on this topic.
However, I can tell what makes bad movie: political correctness in American movies.
I am actually very exigent person and it is really hard to make me happy with random movie.
I mostly enjoy most movies that are beautiful, but on the other side I hate "shallow" productions - something that is so stupid that you cannot stand watching it, so even if it looks good i don't buy it :D
I am not interested neither in this subject nor in any medical stuff - including transplantology. I don't have opinion about this.
Here is the link: http://www.gq.com/news-politics/newsmakers/201408/richard-norris
And there are so many more cases like that! Operations of separating conjoined twins who even 10-20 years ago had so much smaller chances of survival. I imagine that in the future we’ll even be able to transplant a head/brain. Already in 1908 there was a successful surgery of dog’s head transplant (Of course there is still no technology to reattach a severed spinal cord).
I’m a strong supporter of transplantations and I’m on the organ donation list if an accident were to happen. Actually I never understood why people wouldn’t give their permission to be a donor. I think that we should be able to use every resource at our disposal to save someone and “recycle” organs from dead who obviously won’t need them anymore.
I saw the movie and I have to say I quite enjoyed it. I think that Kot’s performance was really good and he truly moved and looked like professor Religa. Mostly I don’t like polish movies because they have a very slow pace, too long frames and poor montage but I think in this one they really tried to make an interesting movie both visually and considering the story. Few years ago I was able to see 4 heart surgeries in real life (thanks to a family member) and it was a really interesting experience. While making this movie they had to have excessive consultations with doctors because the whole surgery process and hospital work shown in the movie was very truthful and I think we should appreciate that. I guess that the movie could gain if secondary characters where developed a little more because that always help when characters are complex but ultimately I think the movie was really quiet good.
surgeons have done. I haven't seen this movie yet, but after reading this article I add it to my "must watch" list;)
I like serious movies, because they make strongly reflections. And You ask about opinion on transplantology...
I'm not opposite, personally I think of give my organs after pass away for someone who need it (sounds creepy I know). Because why not?
http://www.imdb.com/chart/top :) I don't enjoy stupid movies too, so I prefer this top of IMDB, credible ranks.
2. Unfortunately I haven’t seen this movie, just because I haven’t found time to go to the cinema. I hope that I will see it one day.
3. To me the most important feature in movie is plot. When plot involves me I will see whole movie even if other parts are bad. However the best films have everything. It is all about balance between interesting plot, authentic acting, well done camerawork, stirring music etc.
2. Unfortulately, I haven't seen this movie.
3. I think there is no specific recepie for a great movie. I' ve seen many movies with great actors, script, music, which were average at best. On the other side, there are some films not apreciated by viewers , which gain proper respect years after day of premiere. Blade Runner , directed by Ridley Scott, can be a great example.
I somehow share Natalia's point of view about watching movies simply because i don't watch them. I always felt like wasting time on getting into artificial word of a movie. Of course I can imagine that it can be valuable experience to understand what director want to say, but it's not my plot for know. Movies that really stucked in my mind:
PI - from Darren Aronofsky for absolutely surprising plot and great feeling atmosphere
HER - just 'wow' for relevant metaphor of whats happening in our society.
Unforunately I haven't seen the movie, but I'm planning to do that soon.
What makes a good movie? It's a hard question as the answer really depends on the expectations of the target group. Basically in most cases success = large amount of money spent on the movie.
Transplantation is a method that allows to heal from these diseases. Unfortunately, many people do not want to use transplantation because of their beliefs or faith do not allow this.
2) Yes, I was at the premiere of the film. I was surprised that Polish cinema can be so good.
Tomasz Kot jest bardzo dobrym aktorem i jego umiejętności są niesamowite. Very well play the character Zbigniew Religa. Very well play the character Zbigniew Religa even his specific body language and manner of speech.
3) The most important is good scenario and actors. Unfortunately, the budget also is important. Although there is a lot of good movies amateur
2) Yes, I saw the movie and i found it really good. Tomasz Kot plays his role very well, though I think sometimes his Religa is a bit exaggerated, too theatrical. On the other hand, maybe that's what makes this movie so attractive, so I dont want this observation to be taken as complaint.
3) I think it's really hard to tell precisely. The obvious answer is good scenario and actors playing well. Yes, budget is important factor, but we all know that there are low-budget movies which are great (and sometimes even visually appealing).
Movie is usually a product of many people's hard work, so there's a lot of important factors which decide whether the movie is good or not.
I don't like sci-fi movies or fantasy type. For example one of the most popular movie was "Avatar"... I took nape in the cinema;) I prefer movies when action takes place in modern times. In of of my answer-comment I proposed the top IMDB list: http://www.imdb.com/chart/top .
Isn't it the same as donoring blood? Well, the only difference is that organs don't replenish themselves, but the idea is still the same. Its sad that people don't want to do this because of faith or belief. Well, it's their choice...
Have you seen this movie? Did you enjoy it?
No, but I never knew there was a movie in the first place. But I certainly will see it.
What makes a good movie?
Plot. Even with good actors and huge amount of money, if movie doesn't have a good plot, then it will be at most mediocre. Take a look at expendables. Awesome actors, huge pile of money, but the movie is so so.
As some of You already pointed next step in medical treatment will be growing organs. But before this will happen, transplantology is the only way to help people with organ disfunctions, etc.
Some people may say that this is against religion... but I think that it's their private opinion.
2. Have you seen this movie? Did you enjoy it?
I haven't seen the movie yet. Hope I'll be able to watch it in the nearest future.
3. What makes a good movie?
What makes a good movie? Everything:) Starting from the script, through actors (right people on right place, their character, ability to show certain emotions), scenery, scenes...
I think that transplantology is great achievement but still not 100% efficient and safe but for many people it is to get second chance. Of course it is not easy but still worth trying.
Have you seen this movie? Did you enjoy it?
I had chance to watch it and I must say that is one of the best polish movies for a long time
What makes a good movie?
For sure one of the most important aspect of good movie is plot and of course actors who are suited well in storyline.
What is your opinion on transplantology?
Transplantology is a great as it already saved so many lives. I completely support it, but the thought that maybe someday I would be in need of a transplant terrifies me. I know that it would save my life, but it just makes me feel really uncomfortable.
Have you seen this movie? Did you enjoy it?
I didn't have a chance to see it yet, but I'm planning on going to the movies soon. I read many positive reviews and I'm excited about seeing it soon.
I support every way that can help people. Personally I think transplantology is a great achievements of medicine. Unfortunately transplantology has one big minus - the transplanted organ it's not forever. Ofcourse the "new" organ can work well by 2, 5 or 15 years, but after sometime this person is back in line for another "new" organ. Greater hope are "stem cells", which you will be able to grow your healthy organs that will never be rejected
2. Have you seen this movie? Did you enjoy it?
No, I haven't seen this movie yet. I certainly will see it in few next day.
3. What makes a good movie?
It is really hard to say what makes a good film. There is so many facts that have influence on a film. The first thought is a good scenario, equally important is a director and screenwriter. The budget is not always very important, there is a lot of good (in my opinion) low-budget films. And last thing - actors, are quite important too. So there's a lot of important factors which decide whether the movie is good or not.
Good story, good actors and great scenario.
Sometimes even best story can be destroyed by bad scenario, for example when director's vision isn't going well with what people would like to watch and what they are interested in most.
"Bogowie" movie did met all of the requirements, from what I heard.
The story is great, actor, Tomasz Kot starring as "dr Religa" is also very good and scenario did show all of the important things. I can't wait to see this movie!
Donating blood is VERY important and everybody who is healthy and has clearance to do so should donate it - it is not harmful and does not hurt. And they give you so much chocolate for it!
Unfortunatelly I still didn’t watch this movie, but I hope that I will watch it soon.
Good acting, photo and scenario make a good movie. Everything it include in totality and give a good movie.
I did not see the movie but I want to see it as soon as possible. I am really interested in it and I feel it will be very good and that I will enjoy it.
What makes a good movie? Now there's a tricky question. A good movie isn't just special effects, but neither it is only a good story. A good movie needs a balance between looks and depth, you can't create an interesting film by focusing only on one aspect. Then again we have to keep in mind, that we have different movie genres and each of them are created for a different purpose. You won't watch a documentary when you want to laugh.