I watched "Bestia" (The Beast) at the Student Film Club, and it was followed by the discussion with film director Jerzy Domaradzki. I remember that the reception of the audience was lukewarm. The plot is about Pawel(Wojciech Alaborski) and takes place in Greater Poland during a few months preceding the outbreak of World War I. Pawel, full of energy and plans for the future, modernizes a run-down farm. He also marries Anna (Krystyna Janda), a wealthy landowner. At the same time, Pawel meets Dorota (Anna Chodakowska), with whom he begins to share a great feeling. To me the most outstanding feature of "The Beast" is the fact that it is an adaptation of the short story "The Devil" by Leo Tolstoy transferred to Greater Poland. I have a great respect for Leo Tolstoy and read all his major works. To me the premise of "The Devil" is good and universal, but some of Leo Tolstoy's ideas taken from religious mysticism are strange to me and I am not sure what the writer had in mind for this story. But watching this film you can definitely enjoy decent acting and participation of many popular actors.
