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Papusza is a 2013 Polish movie that tells the story of Bronisława Wajs, a Roma poet who was also known as Papusza. It is a poignant tale of one woman's quest for self-expression in the face of racial discrimination and social exclusion. Directed by Joanna Kos-Krauze and Krzysztof Krauze, the movie stars Jowita Budnik as Papusza, Zbigniew Walerys as her husband Dionizy Wajs, and Antoni Pawlicki as Jerzy Ficowski, a poet and Papusza's friend.

The movie follows Papusza's life from childhood to adulthood. Born in 1908 in a Roma community in Poland, Papusza learns to read and write from her grandmother, who teaches her the Roma language and traditions. However, her parents forbid her from attending school and force her to marry Dionizy Wajs, a fellow Roma, when she is only 15 years old.

Despite her husband's support, Papusza faces many obstacles in her quest to become a poet. She is ostracized by her community for her desire to learn and write. Her poetry is seen as a threat to the social order, and she is accused of revealing Roma secrets to the outsider world. She is even branded a traitor by her own people and is subjected to physical and emotional abuse.

Papusza's situation is made worse by the fact that she is a woman in a patriarchal society. As a wife and mother, she is expected to put her family first and suppress her own needs and desires. However, Papusza is determined to break free from these constraints and pursue her passion for poetry, even if it means sacrificing her personal relationships.

As the movie progresses, we see Papusza struggling to reconcile her identity as a Roma woman and a poet. Her poems express her love for the Roma culture and way of life, but they also expose the injustices and inequalities that exist within it. Papusza's poetry becomes a voice of resistance against the oppression she faces and a call for social change.

The movie is shot in black and white, which gives it a timeless quality and adds to its emotional depth. The actors give powerful performances, especially Jowita Budnik, who imbues Papusza with a sense of defiance, vulnerability, and passion. Zbigniew Walerys also shines as Dionizy Wajs, portraying a man who loves and supports his wife despite the societal pressure to conform.

Overall, Papusza is a moving and thought-provoking movie that sheds light on the plight of the Roma people in Poland and the struggle of one woman to assert her identity and creativity in a hostile environment. It is a testimony to the power of poetry and the human spirit to overcome adversity and prejudice.

Papusza is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 11 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.