Secondary schools are increasingly offering students non-standard forms of education. In Bolesławiec, I Liceum Ogólnokształcące has had a humanities and film class since September 2005. Such a class was established because young people are showing increasing interest in the art of film, and some of them are considering studying film-related subjects.
"We decided to respond to young people's interests and offer them a completely new form of education," says Zuzanna Mróz, a Polish language and philosophy teacher who came up with the idea of creating the film class.
The students follow an original programme that combines literature with film and other fields of art. Lessons cover issues related to film poetics, aesthetics, and film and television genres. The students become acquainted with the work of outstanding directors, actors and screenwriters.
The film class cooperates with the Film Discussion Club and the Film Academy, which prepares students for the Polish language matura examination. Grażyna Ferensowicz, who leads the Film Discussion Club and the Film Academy, offers not only film discussions but also invites young people to workshops and lectures prepared by filmmakers. At the Film Academy, invited speakers explain how to incorporate film-related issues into Polish-language assignments and according to which criteria to assess a film adaptation of a school set text.
The students from the film class have many ideas for popularising knowledge about film at school and beyond. In March, the students organised a screening of "Requiem for a Dream" followed by a discussion. They are planning another screening in April, and in June they want to invite students from I Liceum Ogólnokształcące to take part in a Film Day.
"We provide education in a modern, unconventional and active way, in line with the latest methodological trends. Our programme can be compared with what prestigious high schools in large cities offer their students," says Zuzanna Mróz.
Today, many schools give students an additional opportunity to gain admission to their dream humanities and arts programmes. The film class at I Liceum Ogólnokształcące will certainly help students who want to be admitted to film studies or directing.
Grażyna Hanaf