Kaskada

This film is dedicated to a true legend – the Kaskada restaurant in Bydgoszcz, which used to be a symbol of the Old Town, during the period of the Polish People’s Republic.

Despite the fact that the Kaskada was a very-ugly building, which was in line with the then-binding architectural pattern of building concrete facilities in the form of a block, it still remains a cult location for many citizens of Bydgoszcz.

The film by Dariusz Gackowski documents the last period in the history of the Kaskada, but also brings back some archive pictures of the restaurant from its glory days. In the film, it is remembered not only by former clients, but also by artistes, such as poet Zdzisław Pruss, photographer Andrzej Maziec, and Krystyna Bacciarelli from Towarzystwo Miłośników Miasta Bydgoszczy (The Association of Bydgoszcz Enthusiasts). The film portrays archaeological excavations and the moment of Kaskada’s demolition.

The Kaskada restaurant in Bydgoszcz

The majority of the film was shot in the greasy-spoon café which used to be located on the ground floor of the Kaskada complex.

Titbits

• The restaurant was built in 1971, according to a design drawn up by town planner Andrzej Meloch.
• The Kaskada used to be located on the corner of the Old Town and ul. Mostowa. Today, this spot is occupied by a complex of buildings erected in the second half of the 20th Century by Adam Sowa, entrepreneur and owner of the Cukiernia Sowa chain of cake shops. The new tenement houses feature many restaurants, clubs, and a shop in the Biedronka discount supermarket chain.
• At the beginning of the 1970s, the former restaurant served as a stage for artistes of Estrada Bydgoska (a cultural institution). Many actors used to give a recitals there, for example Alina Janowska, Bogdan Łazuka, and Ludwik Sempoliński, to name but a few.
• The film director used a small video camera to make footage for his reportage, as it was easy to hide.

Information on the film

Kaskada

Poland 2012, 7′

Directed by: Dariusz Gackowski

Produced by: Grupa Filmowa Koloroffon

Selected Awards

Tofifest IFF – nomination in the Lokalizacje competition.