A film school final exam project exploring the life of Blessed Karolina Kózkówna through a fictionalized documentary.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Academic Foundations
Students complete their film high school studies and receive the final documentary assignment. Basia outlines the academic requirements while peers begin initial research.
Key Events
High School Graduation — Students finish their studies and prepare for the final exam. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, PrzemekLocation: Film High School
Exam Assignment Briefing — Basia assigns the final documentary project about Blessed Karolina. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, BasiaLocation: Classroom
Initial Research Phase — Peers begin gathering historical materials for their documentary. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, PrzemekLocation: School Library
Interview with Grandfather — Przemek records his grandfather's memories about the local history. Characters: Przemek, Tadeusz Potulski, dziadek PrzemkaLocation: Family Home
Clergy Consultation — Kasia seeks spiritual context from Father Michał for the blessed figure. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, Ksiądz MichałLocation: Local Church
Research & Revelation
The documentary team gathers historical accounts through clergy consultations and family interviews. A discovered document shifts the narrative direction.
Key Events
Clergy Consultation — Kasia seeks spiritual context from Father Michał for the blessed figure. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, Ksiądz MichałLocation: Local Church
Script Drafting — Friends collaborate on structuring the fictionalized narrative. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, PrzemekLocation: Cafe
Location Scouting — Basia guides students to authentic sites for filming. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, BasiaLocation: Historical District
Historical Revelation — A discovered document reveals unexpected details about the blessed figure. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, Tadeusz Potulski, dziadek PrzemkaLocation: Old Archive
Filming Begins — The documentary shoot officially starts with the crew assembling. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, PrzemekLocation: Studio
Creative Disagreement — Peers clash over how to balance fact and fiction in the film. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, PrzemekLocation: Editing Room
Creative Conflict
Filming and editing reveal tensions between factual accuracy and artistic interpretation. Director feedback and spiritual warnings challenge the students' approach.
Key Events
Creative Disagreement — Peers clash over how to balance fact and fiction in the film. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, PrzemekLocation: Editing Room
Director's Feedback — Basia critiques the rough cut, pushing for deeper emotional resonance. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, BasiaLocation: Classroom
Priest's Warning — Father Michał cautions against misrepresenting sacred history. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, Ksiądz MichałLocation: Church Office
Grandfather's Regret — Tadeusz shares a personal loss tied to the historical events. Characters: Przemek, Tadeusz Potulski, dziadek PrzemkaLocation: Park Bench
Final Edit Session — The duo works tirelessly to merge interviews and dramatized scenes. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, PrzemekLocation: Editing Suite
Screening Preparation — Students prepare the final presentation for the academic board. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, BasiaLocation: Theater
Premiere & Reflection
The documentary screens for the academic board and community. Audience reactions and final evaluations lead to personal growth and graduation.
Key Events
Screening Preparation — Students prepare the final presentation for the academic board. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, BasiaLocation: Theater
Premiere Night — The documentary is screened for teachers, family, and clergy. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, Przemek, Basia, Tadeusz Potulski, dziadek Przemka, Ksiądz MichałLocation: School Auditorium
Audience Reaction — The priest's solemn response highlights the film's emotional impact. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, Ksiądz MichałLocation: Auditorium
Academic Evaluation — Basia delivers the final verdict on the documentary's success. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, BasiaLocation: Classroom
Personal Reflection — Friends reflect on how the project changed their understanding of history. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, PrzemekLocation: School Rooftop
Graduation Ceremony — The cohort officially graduates, marking the end of their academic journey. Characters: Kasia / Karolina Kózkówna, Przemek, BasiaLocation: Courtyard
Story Breakdown
Project Initiation — Students receive the documentary assignment and form teams.
School Assignment — Basia outlines the academic requirements for the final exam.
Peer Collaboration — Kasia and Przemek agree to work together on the film.
Historical Research — Gathering authentic accounts to ground the fictional narrative.
Clergy Consultation — Kasia interviews Father Michał for spiritual context.
Family Interviews — Przemek records his grandfather Tadeusz's local memories.
Narrative Development — Balancing historical accuracy with creative storytelling.
Fact vs Fiction — Debates arise over how much to dramatize the blessed figure.
Script Drafting — The duo structures the documentary's core storyline.
Filming Process — Translating the script into visual footage on location.
Location Scouting — Basia guides students to authentic historical sites.
Camera Work — The crew captures interviews and dramatized scenes.
Editorial Challenges — Refining the raw footage into a cohesive final cut.
Creative Disagreements — Tensions surface over pacing and thematic focus.
Director Feedback — Basia critiques the rough cut and suggests emotional adjustments.
Final Presentation — Screening the documentary for the academic board and community.
Audience Screening — Teachers, family, and clergy watch the premiere.
Academic Evaluation — Basia delivers the final grade and professional critique.
Personal Growth — How the project transforms the students' perspectives.
Historical Awareness — Kasia gains a deeper respect for local religious heritage.
Artistic Maturity — Przemek learns to balance technical skill with emotional depth.
Community Impact — The documentary's resonance beyond the classroom.
Religious Reflection — Father Michał contemplates the film's spiritual message.
Local Heritage — Tadeusz feels his memories are preserved for future generations.
Two friends, eighteen-year-olds Kaśka and Magda, are graduating from a film high school. Between having fun and enjoying life, they still have to find time to prepare for the final exam that awaits them. They are tasked with preparing a film etude. When the teacher suggests a topic to them, they rebel at first. They wanted to make a film about socially important issues, about contemporary problems, they wanted to change the world, and here they get the story of some village girl from 100 years ago, who let herself be killed in a senseless way. Willing not to, they set off to Zabawa, where their heroine Karolina Kózkówna lived and died.
