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Jolanta Kessler Chojecka

While music was her first love and she specialized in piano during her high school education, Jolanta Chojecka graduated with a masters degree in Economics from the University of Warsaw in 1977. She continued as a post graduate student in African Studies (1978) and started to write her doctoral dissertation with the Polish Academy of Science (1978-80) (not completed).

At the same time she was working as a singer with the Polish rock group "The Amazons." She then studied French at the Alliance Francaise in Paris becoming a Journalist for Radio Free Europe, a job that lasted through 1991. During that time, beginning in 1987 she joined French Television for independent film assignments and received her basic training in film-making there. At that time she also became involved in emigree film making in France. On returning to Poland in 1998 she became the director of the Foreign Press Center, and later headed the Center for Press Freedom while also teaching at the Film School in Warsaw (1998-2001).

She has specialized in documentaries, but also made educational and historical films. Among her completed projects are:

"Puls" (30 min.), 1993, directed by Jolanta Kessler-Chojecka, the history of the underground literary review published in the years 1977 - 81.

"The Story of Radio Free Europe" (2 parts - 52 min. each), 1994, directed by Jolanta Kessler-Chojecka - The story of Radio Free Europe.

"The Puppet Show in Buzuluk" (30 min.), 1994, directed by Jolanta Kessler Chojecka. The puppet show played in 1942 in the Soviet Union in the Polish army camp of Gen. Anders and the story of the author Tadeusz Wittlin.

"The Problem with Father Jerzy", (40 min.), 1995 directed by Jolanta Kessler-Chojecka - a unique document about Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko, who was murdered for his support of the Solidarity Trade Union in Poland, based on archives filmed in 1982-84 in the church of St. Stanislaw Kostka.

"Solidarni" (52 min.), 1995. directed by Jolanta Kessler-Chojecka ­ a story encompassing about 15 years of the Solidarity trade union.

"Rakowiecka" (52 min.) 1999, directed by Jolanta Kessler-Chojecka ­ The history of the notorious communist prison on Rakowiecka street in Warsaw.

"The Year 1989" (3 parts, each approx. 26 min.) 1999, directed by Jolanta Kessler-Chojecka ­ presents a year of great political change in Poland and Central Europe. Features archival footage and interviews with persons on both sides of the issues: Zb. Bujak, St. Ciosek, J. Kaczynski, Cz. Kiszczak, K. Kozlowski, J. Kuron, T. Mazowiecki, L. Moczulski, A. Stelmachowski, J. Urban.

Her three-part film about the political changes in Poland during the year 1989 were called a "New Trilogy" by reviewers - material to stir the heart. Several of these films were shown by Polonia television and at a private viewing at the Polish Embassy in Washington DC. This film was also aired by WYBE Channel 35 in Philadelphia in April 2002).

"Casimir Pulaski: Polish and American Hero" (57 min.) was the result of a personal initiative and was filmed over a 4-year period thanks to donations mainly from Polish-American organizations and individuals. The film was completed in 2007 with the support of a Polish government grant. It is available on DVD with Polish and English soundtracks. (2007)

Work Experience

Polish Representative at the United Nations in Geneva (present)
Consul - Polish Consulate in France/Switzerland (2009 - 2010)
Cultural Attache in the Polish Embassy in Berne 2002-2006
Director of the Center for the Press Freedom 2001
Foreign Press Center Director in Warsaw 1998-2000
Professor in the Film School in Warsaw 1998-2001
Director of the documentary films, screen writing, 1991-today
Journalist in the Radio Free Europe in Paris office 1982-1991
Training in the French Television, channel 2 1987
Journalist in the Free Europe radio in New York office 1980-81
Singer in the rock group "Amazons" in Poland 1977-80

From: Resume (2008-2011)

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