Krzysztof Komeda, A Soundtrack For A Life

Colleagues and friends pay homage to Krzysztof Komeda, acclaimed film music composer and jazzman.

Composer of legendary pieces like the Lullaby in Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby, Komeda made an indelible mark on the history of film soundtrack-writing. Famed as a cult jazzman in his native Poland, once in Hollywood he made a name for himself as a composer, but his career came to an abrupt end.

This documentary is a reflection on Komeda’s music, which revolutionized the composition of original film soundtracks. It also examines the Polish artist’s life in the 1950s and ‘60s, his work, and his exodus during a period of social, political, and cultural change.

The filmmakers Roman Polanski, Jerzy Skolimowski, Henning Carlsen and Andrzej Wajda recount their recollections and impressions of their friend. His wife Zofia Komeda and his sister Irena Orlowska also share their memories.