Holoubek, Gustaw

(1923-)

   Distinguished theatrical and film actor. After playing Felix Dzerzhinsky in his first film, Wanda Jakubowska's propagandist The Soldier of Victory (1953), Holoubek excelled in several films directed by Wojciech Has, particularly in Noose (1958) where he starred as a young alcoholic man. During the Polish School phenomenon, he also appeared in other Has films, such as Farewells (1958) and Shared Room (1960). He later continued his collaboration with Has, acting frequently in his productions, such as in The Saragossa Manuscript (1965), Hospital under the Hourglass (1973), Uninteresting Story (1982), and The Scribbler (1985). During the Polish School, Holoubek also played the leading role in Jerzy Zarzycki's Holocaust drama about hiding, White Bear (Biały niedźwiedź, 1959); Leonard Buczkowski's war drama Time Past (1961); and Janusz Morgenstern's satirical comedy Opening Tomorrow (1962). Holoubek received popular acclaim starring in Jerzy Hoffman's and Edward Skorzewski's two productions: the comedy Gangsters and Philanthropists (1962) and an action film borrowing from Western conventions, Law and Fist (1964), respectively. Holoubek's close co-laboration with his friend, director Tadeusz Konwicki, resulted in his fine performances in Somersault (1965), How Far from Here, yet How Near (1972), and Lava: The Story of Forefathers (1989).

   The long list of Holoubek's accomplishments also includes roles in films directed by Janusz Zaorski (A Room with a View of the Sea, 1978, and Bodensee, 1986), Jerzy Kawalerowicz (7he Game, 1968), Andrzej Domalik (Zygfryd, 1986), and in recent years, supporting roles in films by Hoffman (With Fire and Sword, 1999) and Władysław Pasikowski (Operation Samum, 1999). In 1976 Holoubek scripted and directed the historical film Maźepa, based on Juliusz Słowacki's drama. He is also known for numerous fine roles for television. In the poll of weekly Polityka, Holoubek was voted the second most important Polish actor of the twentieth century.

   Historical Dictionary of Polish Cinema by Marek Haltof