"Kramarz" (Peddler) is a film by Andrzej Baranski, a respected director of several original and highly personal works. The plot of "Peddler" is based on the book by Edward Koziel (1971), where Koziel wrote about his own life and experiences as a peddler. The main character, Edward Chruscik is a simple man who lost his parents at an early age, lived in poverty before the war, and was deported for forced labor during World War II. In the People's Republic of Poland, after several unsuccessful attempts to become a trader, he finally decides to take up peddlership. So he wanders around Poland, selling devotional articles, and is exposed to the inconveniences of a wandering life. I watched this film with great interest, mostly because it reminded me of growing up in the provincial Eastern Poland. The film recreates the atmosphere of the 1950s and 1960s in a unique and picturesque way. To increase the authenticity, some non-professional actors are also used. The story is sometimes sad (or even tragic) and sometimes funny, but it always keeps you interested. This is also a great role by Roman Klosowski. Roman Klosowski is mostly remembered today by his role of immortal Maliniak in the TV series "Czterdziestolatek" (Forty-year-old). But here we have (what I think) his greatest film role. Watch also for Bogusz Bilewski and Witold Pyrkosz as provincial crooks and scoundrels. They are very authentic, funny, and simply inimitable. So I would strongly recommend "Peddler" for someone who wants to invest his 90 minutes of time to see something original and unforgettable.
