Michałek, Bolesław

(1925-1997)

   Screenwriter and influential film critic, also the author of several books on cinema, among them the classic English-language book on Polish cinema The Modern Cinema of Poland (1988), which he coauthored with Frank Turaj. Throughout his life, Michałek was associated with Polish film journals such as the weekly Film (as managing editor from 1961 to 1972) and monthly Kino (1973-1983). He taught screenwriting at the Łódź Film School and served as the literary director of two film units: X (1973-1983) and Tor (1989-1991). He also served twice as the president of FIPRESCI (1968-1972 and 1974-1979). His screen-writing output consists of eight films, among them works such as Janusz Majewski's The Gorgon Affair (1977), Jerzy Kawalerowicz's Death of a President (1977), Andrzej Wajda's Love in Germany (1983), and Robert Glinski's The Swan's Song (1989). Michałek also served as Polish ambassador to Italy from 1990 to 1995.

   Historical Dictionary of Polish Cinema by Marek Haltof