Andrzej Kostenko: Movies & Filmography

Andrzej Kostenko was a Polish screenwriter, film director, actor, and cinematographer born on 24 June 1936 in Łódź, Poland. He had a multifaceted career in the Polish film industry, contributing to cinema in various capacities throughout several decades. Kostenko was particularly notable for his collaborations with the acclaimed director Roman Polanski, working on some of Polanski's short films, which helped establish his reputation in the early stages of his career. His filmography reveals a versatile artist who worked across multiple roles in film production. As a director, he helmed projects such as Patience de Maigret (1994), Maigret se défend (1993), The Evolution of Spuff (1978), Sam na sam (1977), and Rewizja osobista (1973). His work as a cinematographer included notable films like Las katynski (1990), Rece do góry (1981), The Evolution of Spuff (1978), and earlier works such as Zywot Mateusza (1967) and Ssaki (1962). Additionally, Kostenko contributed as a writer on many of the same projects he directed, showcasing his comprehensive understanding of filmmaking from script to screen. As an actor, he appeared in several Polish films during the late 1950s and late 1960s, including Wszystko na sprzedaz (1969), Gdy spadają anioly (1959), Zamach (1959), and Co rekne zena? (1958). Beyond his professional achievements, Kostenko was known personally as the husband of the famous Polish actress Pola Raksy, a relationship that connected him to one of Poland's most celebrated cinematic figures. He passed away on 1 June 2024 at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy of diverse contributions to Polish cinema spanning multiple creative disciplines.