Polish Cinema at HLF-WWK Poetry Film Festival 2026
As part of a special collaboration between the Polish Institute and the Himalayan Literature Poetry Film Festival, we are delighted to present two landmark films inspired by the works of renowned Polish novelists Bolesław Prus and Nobel Laureate Henryk Sienkiewicz, curated by the Polish Institute, New Delhi.
🎬 The Doll (Lalka)
An adaptation of the celebrated novel The Doll by Bolesław Prus, widely regarded as one of the greatest works in Polish literature.
Plot:
Wokulski, a self-made man admired for his financial success, finds himself trapped in a rigid social hierarchy. Despite his achievements, his lack of aristocratic lineage subjects him to quiet disdain. His marriage into nobility offers no solace, as he is met with indifference and emotional distance—revealing the deep fractures between wealth, class, and belonging.
In Desert and Wilderness
Based on the classic 1911 novel by Nobel Laureate Henryk Sienkiewicz, this sweeping adventure unfolds against the backdrop of Mahdi’s rebellion in Sudan.
Plot:
The film follows two children, Staś Tarkowski and Nel Rawlison, as they journey across the vast and untamed African wilderness. What begins as peril soon transforms into a tale of courage, friendship, and survival in a world shaped by conflict and discovery.
This special showcase brings together literature and cinema, offering audiences a rare glimpse into Poland’s rich literary heritage through the lens of film.
Join us at the Himalayan Literature Festival & Writers Workshop 2026 as stories travel across continents—from the plains of Poland to the peaks of the Himalayas.
