Michał – Michael Majerski is among the most well-known filmmakers who cover the broadly defined German-Polish borderlands. He was born to a German-Polish family in Altheide-Bad in 1948. After studying at a State Film Academy in Lodz, he emigrated with his family to Germany in 1978, where he worked for many years as a film teacher. After his return to Poland, he worked for German public service broadcasters.
His classical, full-length documentary films reflect the subjective account of postwar history in territories that were taken over by Poland from the perspective of people who lived on both sides of the border. Film critics characterize Majerski as a specialist for topics that others try hard to avoid.
Rewards and Honors (selection)
- 2005 – “Meiner Mutter Land” (“Once I was a German”). Best German documentary film at Film Festival in Lagow, Poland.
- 2006 – Nomination for the German-Polish Journalist Prize, Schwerin, Germany
- 2010 – 3rd Price for Documentary “Oberschlesien – kolocz na droga” at International Film Festival Regiofun in Poland
- 2010 – Erasmus Seal of Excellency for “Oberschlesien – Streuselkuchen von zu Hause” Vienna.
- 2013 – Erasmus European Media Awards- Grand Award for „Oberschlesien- Here is where we meet“. Vienna.
- 2018 – Once it was a Land Called Pomerania. Lagow International Film Festiwal-Award in Competition Part.
- Amsterdam Film Festival – Prodigy Award
Filmography (since 2003)
- 2003 – “Begegnung an polnischen Fluessen”, documentary film, script, producer, camera.
- 2003 – „Dragos“ introductory feature for a history series for TV, director.
- 2003 – “Die Perlenfischer”, documentary film, director.
- 2004 – “Cusanus – de Ludo Globi”, video art installation in Hamburg
- 2005 – “Meiner Mutter Land”, documentary film, 70 min., producer, script, director, camera.
- 2006 – “Mandelstam Street”, Opera in Stettin, directing
- 2007 – “Lorelei” and “Aber wieder”. Head of the film workshop on the topic of structural space in the filming of poems, University of Stettin, Poland.
- 2008 – “Meines Vaters Haus”. Documentary film, 84 min., producer, script, director.
- 2009 – “Draheim”. Biographic film, 30 min., producer, script, director.
- 2010 – “Oberschlesien – kolocz na droga”. 60 min. Documentary. Producer, script, director
- 2013 – “Oberschlesien – here is where we meet” 75 min. Documentary. Producer, script, director.
- 2018 – “Once it was a Land Called Pomerania”. 89 Min. Documentary. Director, Producer
The Themes of my Films
The main themes of my films is the ramifications of the Second World War in the eastern territories which were previously German; the escape and the forced displacement, up rootedness, “war of memory”, and “German Angst”. I make classic documentary films about the impact of the war on individual fates of both the Polish and German inhabitants of the area, as well as about the Landscape which extend beyond linguistic and mental borders.
The current films thematize uncomfortable topics as well as the disappearance of entire ethnic groups and cultures in the former German territories; right before our eyes; right in the middle of Europe.
The films will be shown as special films in museums, universities, art house cinemas and film festivals in both countries.
Often during the discussions, which occur after the screening, audience members have emotional reactions to the film. These reactions are authentic; this is confirmed by reviews of the film as well as multiple international prizes that the film has gotten.
Currently, I am filming long interviews with contemporary witnesses on behalf of different museums and foundations.