A STONE’S THROW (Poland, 2009)

The history of rural Poland is scarred by the formation of the communist collective farms. After a process of expropriation and expulsion, they were established on the land of old estates. Although totally unproductive, for just under a half century the state farms were the advertisement for the socialist victory over the bourgeoisie. But as symbols of the hated system, they disappeared after the revolution of 1989, after which their residents were again struck by tragedy. Some saw their chance to better their lives, but many missed the boat. In A STONE’S THROW Tomasz Tomaszewski wishes to pay homage to the people of rural Poland. In contrast to official statements, he says, they are marginalised and abandoned, a blind spot in collective memory. His photographs are characterised by anger about the destruction of a heritage and by compassion for those who try to make the best of things. In this way he seeks to decrease our distance to a world we normally ride past, pedal to the metal.