Polish-French film director, producer, writer, and actor Roman Polanski is a popular yet controversial figure. He has made several critically acclaimed films and has received six Oscar nominations. He has been accused of sexual abuse by numerous women and is a subject of an Interpol red notice issued for his arrest.
Known as a rebellious director, Polish filmmaker Andrzej Zulawski compromised on mainstream success to create a niche audience in the European art-house circle. His second film, Diabel, which depicted rape, violence, and bloodshed, was banned in Poland. He later moved to France, making films such as L’Important C’est d’Aimer.
Richard Boleslavsky was a Polish film and theatre actor, director, and teacher of acting. In 1922, Richard started teaching a new system of acting in New York City, which came to be known as Method acting in the USA. Richard Boleslavsky is also credited with founding the American Laboratory Theatre. Among his pupils were Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg.
As a teenager, Polish author and director Tadeusz Konwicki was part of the Polish resistance movement, fighting against both the Nazis and the Soviets. He later penned award-winning works such as At the Construction Site and directed films such as The Last Day of Summer. Initially a communist, he later opposed the party.