Filmmaker on democracy: The case of Agnieszka Holland’s work

This essay explores the influential role of cinematic artists in shaping discussions around democratic values and addressing contemporary European challenges. It focuses on the works and public statements of Agnieszka Holland, a renowned Polish filmmaker. Holland, known for her film Europa, Europa, predominantly explores individual experiences. However, these personal narratives are intricately interwoven with broader communal, historical-political, and cultural themes. This text aims to highlight key democratic principles through Holland’s perspectives, emphasising the educational impact of her films. Particularly, it examines how her work confronts various forms of discrimination, including those based on gender, religion, and nationality, while simultaneously fostering a ‘culture of dialogue’. The approach used in this research is an analysis of media content.