Every self-respecting movie-goer knows the importance of “Citizen Kane” (1941) for the history of movie. For many years its director, Orson Welles, was recognized as the author of one masterpiece, because none of his other movies was equally recognized. It has led to at least non-favourable situation: few people respect all works by Wells, whereas it is essentially impressive.

The author of the memorable “Citizen Kane”, in fact claimed himself  “I started at the top and worked my way down” ,but also in his works realized after 1941 one can feel hand of the master. From crashed by the critics “The Magnificent Ambersons” to unfinished revolutionary “Don Quixote” , Orson Welles made movies of the highest artistic originality. As the author of “F for Fake” , “Touch of Evil” and “ The Trial” he presents himself as uncompromising creator, realizing works not only of coherent poetics and movie language, but also of unbelievable diversity, including wide spectrum of subjects.

Orson Welles is not only a movie director and script writer for dozens of movies, but his talents show in other branches of arts. Welles was a recognized director of radio broadcasts, with the most famous “The war of the worlds” based on H.G. Wells. Orson Welles was a characteristic actor employing auto-ironic means, a narrator whose impressive voice overwhelmed movies, where it appeared, a  social commentator, a person that no one in United States would pass-by indifferent.

His rich artistic output is the proof that is worth reading on many levels, with the use of various interpretations. Such perspective allows to not only appreciate multiple artistic activity, but also to characterize relationships governing American movie industry or theory and practice of making adaptations – just to mention few first issues for analysis. 6 May 2015 is the 100 anniversary of Orson Welles’s birth. This is a perfect opportunity to remember his works and also try to describe how his reception in Polish movie criticism was shaped over the years. The heritage of Orson Welles doesn’t just include audio-visual works but it is an inspiration for artists exploring various branches of art, and this heritage needs working on. We are sure that the conference with researchers from all over Poland, organized at the Baltic Sea Cultural Centre in Gdańsk and at the University of Gdańsk together with reviewed monographic publication including chosen articles will help to seal the gap in the research.

Curators:
Paweł Biliński
Bartosz Filip
Prof. Krzysztof Kornacki
Marta Maciejewska

Organizers:
The Baltic Sea Cultural Centre in Gdańsk
Tthe University of Gdańsk