Here Is Your Home: Borderland Parochialism, Fear of Modernity, and Crime Comedy in Jacek Bromski’s Trilogy—In Heaven as it is on Earth (1998), God’s Little Garden (2007), and God’s Little Village (2009)
摘要
The chapter examines Jacek Bromski’s trilogy set in the village of King’s Bridge in northeastern Poland, blending comedic and criminal elements. Central to the series is the divide between “locals” and “outsiders,” with crimes consistently linked to external threats introduced by foreigners, who are ultimately defeated and expelled by the village’s protectors. Across the trilogy, unexpected love and marriage serve as narrative devices to bridge this divide, transforming outsiders into insiders and highlighting the community’s potential for inclusivity when faced with decent, good-hearted individuals. This dynamic reflects the films’ parochial value system, embodied by character of Parson Antoni. While his authority over the community is nearly absolute, the films approach him with ironic detachment, portraying the priest as a comic figure due to his staunch conservatism and direct, unsophisticated behavior. This nuanced depiction reveals that while King’s Bridge resists change and occasionally neutralizes it, it does not offer any idyllic vision. The trilogy frequently employs stereotypes and gender-based humor to generate laughter and comic situations. Its portrayal of women, particularly through the ridicule of stereotypical “feminine” traits or non-traditional roles, is perhaps the most controversial aspect of Bromski’s film microcosm. The trilogy is notable for its linguistic creativity, drawing on conversational humor, witty dialogues, and the use of local dialect to heighten the comedic impact. The chapter concludes with an analysis of these humorous elements and their contribution to the trilogy’s unique character.