Symphony of The Ursus Factory

“Symphony of the Ursus Factory” is a feature-length film involving former workers of Ursus Mechanical Works. The concept of the project rests on former employees of Ursus Factory reenacting their jobs and recalling their memorized actions and sounds related to their daily work, and on using this footage in the film. Recordings of single ”work tracks”, composed during workshops with choreographer and composer, will be put together to create a symphony of images, movements and sounds.

The film will become a tale of bygone industrial labour, in a unique way (memory of the body) reflecting the memories of the factory crew. This will help to create an evocative image with a distinctive emotional message, providing a stimulus for reflection on the contemporary transformations of the world of labour.

The film is based on biographies of employees and their personal “work memories” recalled by the reconstruction of their movements made during the production of heavy machinery, as well as their choreographic and musical elaboration accompanied by entering the world of the former factory. Participation in the artistic process allows former employees to share their memories of working experience in the factory.

Co-production: Mazowiecki i Warszawski Fundusz Filmowy, MX35, Wytwórnia Filmów Dokumentalnych i Fabularnych, Studio Filmowe Kronika Polska Kronika Filmowa
Co-founding: Polski Instytut Sztuki Filmowej, Muzeum Sztuki Nowoczesnej, Miasto Stołeczne Warszawa, Województwo Mazowieckie
Partners: Ursus S.A., Filmoteka Narodowa – Instytut Audiowizualny