Self-Portrait with a Lover (1997) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Kuba's recollection of love, separation, loss, and the end of his carefree youth.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Carefree Meeting

Kuba recalls his carefree and rebellious youth. His life changes when he meets Diana and begins a romance with her.

Key Events

• Kuba Tells His Daughter — Kuba begins recounting his youth, rebellion, and love. Characters: Kuba Location: Not specified in the plot
• Carefree Youth — Kuba is introduced as living a carefree and rebellious life. Characters: Kuba Location: Not specified in the plot
• Kuba Meets Diana — Kuba meets Diana, who is more than a dozen years older than him. Characters: Kuba, Diana Location: Not specified in the plot
• A New Romance — Kuba and Diana begin a romantic relationship. Characters: Kuba, Diana Location: Not specified in the plot
• Age Difference Revealed — Their relationship develops despite Diana being substantially older than Kuba. Characters: Kuba, Diana Location: Not specified in the plot

Love Against Opposition

Kuba and Diana continue their relationship despite opposition from Kuba's father. They choose each other and celebrate a hippie wedding.

Key Events

• Age Difference Revealed — Their relationship develops despite Diana being substantially older than Kuba. Characters: Kuba, Diana Location: Not specified in the plot
• Parental Opposition — Kuba's father refuses to accept his relationship with Diana. Characters: Kuba, Diana Location: Not specified in the plot
• Choosing Each Other — Kuba and Diana decide to remain together despite the opposition. Characters: Kuba, Diana Location: Not specified in the plot
• Hippie Wedding — The couple celebrates a hippie-style wedding. Characters: Kuba, Diana Location: Not specified in the plot
• The Idyll Breaks — Their peaceful life is interrupted by gendarmes sent by Kuba's father. Characters: Kuba, Diana Location: Not specified in the plot

The Forced Separation

Gendarmes sent by Kuba's father interrupt the couple's idyll. Kuba is drafted into the army and subjected to mistreatment.

Key Events

• The Idyll Breaks — Their peaceful life is interrupted by gendarmes sent by Kuba's father. Characters: Kuba, Diana Location: Not specified in the plot
• Kuba Is Drafted — Kuba is drafted into the army after the disruption. Characters: Kuba Location: Not specified in the plot
• Military Mistreatment — Kuba endures mistreatment from a corporal during military service. Characters: Kuba Location: Army setting
• Diana Visits The Ceremony — Diana and Kuba's father come to Kuba's swearing-in ceremony. Characters: Kuba, Diana Location: Swearing-in ceremony
• Pregnancy Revealed — It becomes known that Diana is pregnant. Characters: Kuba, Diana Location: Swearing-in ceremony

News Of Fatherhood

At the swearing-in ceremony, Diana's pregnancy becomes known. Kuba struggles with the prospect of becoming a father while remaining in the army.

Key Events

• Pregnancy Revealed — It becomes known that Diana is pregnant. Characters: Kuba, Diana Location: Swearing-in ceremony
• Kuba Faces Fatherhood — Kuba is confronted with impending fatherhood but is not ready for it. Characters: Kuba, Diana Location: Not specified in the plot
• Life In The Army — Kuba continues his military service while separated from Diana. Characters: Kuba Location: Army setting
• News Of A Daughter — A corporal tells Kuba that he has become the father of a girl. Characters: Kuba Location: Army setting
• Diana Has Died — Kuba learns that the child's mother, Diana, has died. Characters: Kuba, Diana Location: Army setting

The End Of Youth

Kuba learns that he has a daughter and that Diana has died. Returning home, he finds his father caring for the child, bringing his rebellious youth to an end.

Key Events

• Diana Has Died — Kuba learns that the child's mother, Diana, has died. Characters: Kuba, Diana Location: Army setting
• Return From Service — Kuba returns home after completing his military service. Characters: Kuba Location: Not specified in the plot
• Grandfather Raises The Girl — Kuba finds his father taking care of his granddaughter. Characters: Kuba Location: Kuba's home
• The End Of Rebellion — Kuba's carefree and rebellious youth comes to an end. Characters: Kuba Location: Kuba's home

Story Breakdown

• Kuba's Rebellious Youth — The story begins with Kuba remembering the carefree life he led before family responsibility changed him.
  • Carefree Lifestyle — Kuba recalls living a carefree and rebellious youth.
  • Story Of The Past — Kuba tells his daughter about the experiences that shaped his life.
• Meeting Diana — Kuba meets Diana, an older woman, and begins a relationship that becomes the center of his youth.
  • Unexpected Encounter — Kuba meets Diana, who is more than a dozen years older than him.
  • Romance Begins — Kuba and Diana begin a romantic relationship.
• Love Against Family — Their relationship faces opposition from Kuba's father, but the couple chooses to stay together.
  • Parental Rejection — Kuba's father does not accept the relationship with Diana.
  • Shared Decision — Kuba and Diana decide together to remain a couple.
• Hippie Marriage — Kuba and Diana formalize their commitment through a hippie-style wedding.
  • Wedding Celebration — The couple has a hippie wedding.
  • Brief Idyll — Their shared life briefly appears peaceful before outside intervention.
• Forced Military Separation — The couple's idyll ends when gendarmes intervene and Kuba is drafted into the army.
  • Gendarmes Arrive — Gendarmes sent by Kuba's father interrupt the couple's idyll.
  • Army Hardship — Kuba is drafted and suffers mistreatment from a corporal.
• Pregnancy And Responsibility — Diana's pregnancy forces Kuba to face a future for which he is not prepared.
  • Ceremony Reunion — Diana and Kuba's father attend Kuba's swearing-in ceremony.
  • Fatherhood Anxiety — Kuba learns that Diana is pregnant but is not ready to become a father.
• Loss And Return — Kuba receives devastating news, returns from the army, and encounters the consequences of his former life.
  • Daughter Announced — A corporal tells Kuba that he has become the father of a girl.
  • Diana's Death — Kuba learns that Diana has died.
• End Of Carefree Youth — Kuba returns home and finds his father caring for the child, ending the period of rebellion.
  • Grandfather's Care — Kuba finds his father taking care of his granddaughter.
  • New Responsibility — The events mark the end of Kuba's carefree and rebellious youth.

Directed by

Radosław Piwowarski

Key Cast

• Katarzyna Figura — Diana
• Waldemar Błaszczyk — Kuba
• Jerzy Trela — Józef Mitura, ojciec Kuby
• Mirosław Baka — kapral Kos
• Marek Kondrat — mąż Diany