"Rozbijemy zabawe" is another fairly early filmmaking effort by the famous Roman Polanski and these almost 8 minutes are almost his first work behind the camera. I am fairly certain that they would not really be known anymore today without the big name attached to them, but I guess that's how it is. The contents are similar to other stuff Polanski did before his 30th birthday. It is black-and-white and there is (almost) no dialogue, so you can watch this one pretty much without subtitles and still understand the action. Then again, there really is very little action and even less plot in here. Not a memorable movie in my opinion, but at such a short runtime, it is watchable. But you're not missing much if you skip it, to be honest.
7 Reviews
"You can't get in without an invite"
Steffi_P14 September 2007
This is Polanski's earliest short to tell a complete story, and also his first to use sound. In style it doesn't look particularly Polanski-like if you are used to his later work. It seems to mostly be an exercise in editing and the use of inserts I don't think a single shot lasts more than a few seconds, a far cry from the long takes I would associate with his features.
Polanski is also taking the opportunity here to experiment with music and sound design, implementing the jazz that is integral to his early work. This is Let's Break the Ball's greatest strength it has a rhythm to it, something which it is essential for all novice filmmakers to get to grips with. Polanski appears to have grasped it right from the word go.
Story-wise, the theme of a gang of yobs crashing a rather tame, studenty social event is typical of the young, rebellious Polanski, and it's likely there is some sort of upstart message to the authorities intended here. Apparently the partygoers were not forewarned and the attack was genuine arranged by Polanski as a kind of realist stunt. There are so many varied camera angles and close-ups though that I think many of the little set pieces and inserts like the women's skirts being ripped must have been staged.
This is fairly entertaining for a student short. A nice little touch are the bookends which show in utter contrast to the bulk of the film the set up and aftermath of the party respectively. Let's Break the Ball is Polanski's first proper opportunity to try out a few techniques, and also his dynamic announcement of his arrival.
Polanski is also taking the opportunity here to experiment with music and sound design, implementing the jazz that is integral to his early work. This is Let's Break the Ball's greatest strength it has a rhythm to it, something which it is essential for all novice filmmakers to get to grips with. Polanski appears to have grasped it right from the word go.
Story-wise, the theme of a gang of yobs crashing a rather tame, studenty social event is typical of the young, rebellious Polanski, and it's likely there is some sort of upstart message to the authorities intended here. Apparently the partygoers were not forewarned and the attack was genuine arranged by Polanski as a kind of realist stunt. There are so many varied camera angles and close-ups though that I think many of the little set pieces and inserts like the women's skirts being ripped must have been staged.
This is fairly entertaining for a student short. A nice little touch are the bookends which show in utter contrast to the bulk of the film the set up and aftermath of the party respectively. Let's Break the Ball is Polanski's first proper opportunity to try out a few techniques, and also his dynamic announcement of his arrival.
Young Punks Get Their Revenge
Angolmoise9 March 2005
It's a small tale about a group of young thugs who aren't invited to a school costume party so they decide to invite themselves and beat up everyone.
I found it interesting mostly for its historical value just to see how a school dance looked like in the 50's Poland. The dance scenes are boring and the fight scenes unconvincing, but both are filmed competently, especially considering that they happen at night and Polanski was still a student. The soundtrack of the fight was quite badly dubbed, however, creating some unintentional chuckles. This short also further reinforced my opinion that Polanski has an obsession with violence.
I found it interesting mostly for its historical value just to see how a school dance looked like in the 50's Poland. The dance scenes are boring and the fight scenes unconvincing, but both are filmed competently, especially considering that they happen at night and Polanski was still a student. The soundtrack of the fight was quite badly dubbed, however, creating some unintentional chuckles. This short also further reinforced my opinion that Polanski has an obsession with violence.
Save the last dance for me
krorie16 September 2006
"Rozbijemy zabawe..." is a highly underrated early short by famed director Roman Polanski, made in Poland while he was still a student of film technique. It is perhaps one of the finest allegorical short features ever made, showing the under crust turmoil of the 50's decade better than most major Hollywood films of the time with the exceptions of "Rebel Without a Cause" and "The Wild One," certainly more clearly than the highly touted "Blackboard Jungle."
The barbarians at the gate, which is literally scaled when the outsiders crash the masquerade party where the socially acceptable rich and privileged teens are wallowing in the comfort and security of their parents' wealth and power, take over following an orgy of violence. One is reminded of Sergei M. Eisenstein's famous scene from "Oktyabr(Ten Days That Shook the World)" when peasants are shown sitting on Tsar Nicholas II's throne. Society becomes total chaos. Anarchy reigns. Who picks up the pieces?
The barbarians at the gate, which is literally scaled when the outsiders crash the masquerade party where the socially acceptable rich and privileged teens are wallowing in the comfort and security of their parents' wealth and power, take over following an orgy of violence. One is reminded of Sergei M. Eisenstein's famous scene from "Oktyabr(Ten Days That Shook the World)" when peasants are shown sitting on Tsar Nicholas II's throne. Society becomes total chaos. Anarchy reigns. Who picks up the pieces?
The Splendid Iconoclasm
p_radulescu19 June 2011
The party was real and the thugs were real, hired by the young director for this movie. So the partiers were really beaten. Polanski was about to be expelled from the film school. The splendid iconoclasm of the New Wave everywhere it emerged: think Skolimowski, think Godard, think Oshima. Their disdain for old conventions, for any conventions, for old masters, for any masters, for old art, for any art. The movie that's anti-movie.
Decades earlier Bunuel foresaw the New Wave with his Chien Andalou. Decades later Van Sant would demonstrate New Wave was over, with Gerry. While the tension between reality and artistic rendering of reality remained a constant in the great cinema. Think at today's Kiarostami or Panahi, for instance.
Decades earlier Bunuel foresaw the New Wave with his Chien Andalou. Decades later Van Sant would demonstrate New Wave was over, with Gerry. While the tension between reality and artistic rendering of reality remained a constant in the great cinema. Think at today's Kiarostami or Panahi, for instance.
'Is It Real, Or Is It Memorex?'
ccthemovieman-117 June 2008
Warning: Spoilers
The summary refers to the famous TV commercial in which the product - recording tape - was supposedly so good that the buyer would be able to tell if the sound he heard from the tape was real or recorded. That about describes this film.
Film director Roman Polanski's explanation right before the beginning of this early short film of his made me wonder how much of the action was acted and how much was real. He made it sound like he just let these "hooligans" crash a party and then watched as they caused havoc....and filmed it. Then, while posting this review, I see on the "trivia" notes here on IMDb, that it actually was real and the young filmmaker almost got tossed out of school for it! That's stunning. Nowadays, those kids that were beaten up would have big lawsuits against the school.
I still have some doubts about this, however, as the fights seemed so hokey. People don't punch like that. Also, the people at the dance were so bizarre looking, it looked like a scene out of a David Lynch movie. These weren't just teen at a dance but some older and weird-looking adults as well. It was an odd mixture. This whole thing is very bizarre.
I thought the best shot of the film was the slow panning of the "hooligans" feet at the bottom of the iron gate. That was chilling. You just knew the "barbarians were at the gate" and ready to rumble.
You can see this early Polanski effort on disc number 2 of the "Knife In The Water" DVD.
Film director Roman Polanski's explanation right before the beginning of this early short film of his made me wonder how much of the action was acted and how much was real. He made it sound like he just let these "hooligans" crash a party and then watched as they caused havoc....and filmed it. Then, while posting this review, I see on the "trivia" notes here on IMDb, that it actually was real and the young filmmaker almost got tossed out of school for it! That's stunning. Nowadays, those kids that were beaten up would have big lawsuits against the school.
I still have some doubts about this, however, as the fights seemed so hokey. People don't punch like that. Also, the people at the dance were so bizarre looking, it looked like a scene out of a David Lynch movie. These weren't just teen at a dance but some older and weird-looking adults as well. It was an odd mixture. This whole thing is very bizarre.
I thought the best shot of the film was the slow panning of the "hooligans" feet at the bottom of the iron gate. That was chilling. You just knew the "barbarians were at the gate" and ready to rumble.
You can see this early Polanski effort on disc number 2 of the "Knife In The Water" DVD.
Break Up the Dance
Michael_Elliott29 February 2008
Rozbijemy zabawe (1957)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
This early short film from Roman Polanski certainly isn't the greatest thing he's ever done but it's got its moments that make it worth viewing. A bunch of fancy nice people are having a cute little dance when a group of punks break in and cause trouble.
Apparently Polanski once threw a party and then invited a group to invade it and break things apart and this is where the story here is coming from. For the most part the B&W cinematography is extremely good and there's certainly a nice comic tone throughout leading up to the violence. There's certainly nothing ground-breaking here and the short remains watchable through it's running time. The final scenes of the aftermath are well done.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
This early short film from Roman Polanski certainly isn't the greatest thing he's ever done but it's got its moments that make it worth viewing. A bunch of fancy nice people are having a cute little dance when a group of punks break in and cause trouble.
Apparently Polanski once threw a party and then invited a group to invade it and break things apart and this is where the story here is coming from. For the most part the B&W cinematography is extremely good and there's certainly a nice comic tone throughout leading up to the violence. There's certainly nothing ground-breaking here and the short remains watchable through it's running time. The final scenes of the aftermath are well done.
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