The start of the film begins in 1948 with Strzemiński as an influential lecturer at the School of Visual Arts, Łódź. However he refuses to renounce abstract art despite the new Stalinist regime demanding only Socialist Realist art be taught. This results in him being stripped of his position at the school, and his works (including his famous "Neo-Plastic Room" at the Museum of Art, Łódź) were either withdrawn from public view or simply destroyed. Then the bureaucracy denied him his ability to make a living as a sign-painter, prevented him buying art supplies, and collecting food stamps.[10]
Reception
Тhe film has an approval rating of 86% on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 42 reviews, and an average rating of 6.80/10. The website's critical consensus states,"Afterimage's punishing narrative pays dividends through Andrzej Wajda's still-formidable control and a message that, while certainly grim, is undeniably worthy".[11] On Metacritic the film has a score of 75 of 100 based on 14 reviews, indicating "Generally favorable reviews".[12]
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