Abstract
In this article the author focuses on the subgenre of historical film for children and adolescents directed in the Polish People’s Republic by female directors. In the 50s and 60s most of the Polish films dedicated for young audience were an adaptation of popular novels often based on historical events. As Piotr Kurpiewski points out: “the director’s intent behind those historical productions was strictly educational, and it aimed primarily for the young viewers to obtain some knowledge of history through watching the film.” But historical productions for children were not only captivating for the young audience, but also for the directors. Especially for female directors.
 The main goal of this article is to present how that trivialized genre, of which examples were basically used as educational materials or treated as unserious fairytales, helped female directors speak in their own voices and give them opportunities to present past from their own perspectives.
Highlights
The cinema drew inspiration from literature, great historical production figures were very popular, and young people flocked to frequent features based on required reading books, which were mostly adapted by female Polish directors like Maria Kaniewska, Halina Bielińska or Wanda Jakubowska
The subgenre of historical film for children and adolescents could be placed at the intersection of these three elements, which is predominantly represented by adaptations of renowned books
True to the essence of its literary origin, the adaptation is strikingly bold in bringing up problematic topics, including political and social ones, while at the same time it presents disturbing racism and violence one would not expect to see in a production aimed at such a young audience
Summary
The cinema drew inspiration from literature, great historical production figures were very popular, and young people flocked to frequent features based on required reading books, which were mostly adapted by female Polish directors like Maria Kaniewska, Halina Bielińska or Wanda Jakubowska. The subgenre of historical film for children and adolescents could be placed at the intersection of these three elements, which is predominantly represented by adaptations of renowned books.
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