Directed by: Tomasz Bagiński
Born out of Tomasz Bagiński admiration for the Polish dean of science fiction literature Jacek Dukaj, Katedra (The Cathedral, 2002) demonstrated that fine tradition of Polish animation is alive and well. After receiving the green light from Dukaj to use one of his short stories, self-taught computer graphics animator Bagiński returned the favor by later illustrating some of Dukaj’s books.
When The Cathedral was printed to 35mm film, nobody expected that the short, which is just over 6 minutes in length, would receive a nomination for an Academy Award. In terms of graphics The Cathedral can still stand up to comparison with the most mind-blowing cutscenes from recent video games. Bagiński’s effort, however stands out for its opulent and eerie setting, which draws from Gaudi’s style and Zdzisław Beksiński disturbing paintings.
The film recounts the singular journey of a pilgrim through an organic cathedral covered with knotty and flayed human figures reminiscent of Ligier Richier’s gothic sculpture. Broadly speaking, The Cathedral is also a virtuoso apology for organic architecture, created by an artist that studied in the field before devoting himself entirely to CG animation. During his European tour in 2011, US president Obama received an iPad loaded with The Cathedral as a gift from Polish premier Donald Tusk .
Originally published by The Krakow Post on September 09, 2013