Ewa Ciszewska: Practical Friends: Poland and Czechoslovakia in the Cold War Project of Socialist Film Internationalism in the Years 1945–1970

Ewa Ciszewska’s study of Polish-Czechoslovak film relations (1945–1970) offers a richly documented account of cultural exchange under socialism, privileging interpersonal collaboration over textual analysis. Drawing on extensive archival research and interviews, the book reveals a complex yet pragmatic relationship, with Poland largely benefiting from Czechoslovakia’s stronger postwar film infrastructure. Key themes include educational mobility, film festivals, and the limited co-productions between the two nations. The book contributes significantly to Poland’s “New Film History” by emphasising transnational networks and pragmatic alliances over ideological unity. A vital work published in Polish, Practical Friends invites broader comparative scholarship.