The Baker
MPEG-4 Colour Sound 1975 13:19

Summary: Originally intended as a film about baking it changed to become a documentary of the baker's life when it was discovered that he had been dismissed from his job, for no good reason, six weeks before he retired! Stanley, the baker, and his wife Ann, both originally from Poland, met in London soon after the war. Via a series of photographs, the film traces their lives; Stanly on a Polish liner during the thirties and on convoys in the war, Ann in the London wartime fire service.
Title number: 22100
LSA ID: LSA/29858
Description: 00:00 – 02:08 Title card, introducing Stanley and Anne Kociucki. Credits. Advert for a ‘Foreman Baker’. Close up on Stanley talking about his work. Stills of Stanley working as he describes the process of making bread. Close up on Stanley as he describes being made redundant.
02:28 – 03:44 Shot of Stanley cycling past on his bike at night. Moving shots of Stanley cycling down the road at night. Shot from inside as door opens and Stanley pushes his bicycle in before shutting the door behind him. He carries the bike along the corridor, past the camera and up the stairs, then rests the bicycle at the top of the stairs.
03:44 – 05:02 Pan across from a towel on the side to Stanley turning the lights on and closing the door. He empties his pockets onto the mantelpiece and lights the hob, then places the kettle on top. He takes his coat off as the camera zooms in on the clock on the mantelpiece. Stanley sat at the table eating whilst he reads the newspaper. Stanley goes to the bedroom and wakes his wife, Anne. Shot out of the window of other flats.
05:02 – 07:05 Anne enters the kitchen and places her bag on the table before removing her scarf and coat. She describes coming to London and working. She unpacks the bag and puts the groceries away as she describes meeting Stanley. Photograph of a young Anne and Stanley. Anne peels potatoes in the kitchen. Stanley wakes up and lights a cigarette in bed.
07:05 – 09:01 Photographs from Stanley’s home as he describes growing up and leaving home. Stanley walks into the kitchen and washes his face. Photograph of ship. Shot of the sink and a photograph of a young Stanley. Shot of Stanley shaving with an electric razor in front of the mirror intercut with old photographs from when he was in the navy.
09:01 – 10:49 Anne brings Stanley a cup of tea and then sits down on the sofa as they discuss easter plans. Close up on Stanley. Anne and Stanley sat at the table. Stanley sat in a chair reading the newspaper whilst Anne makes dinner. Stanley stands up and walks out of shot and the camera zooms in on Anne.
10:49 – 12:27 Anne and Stanley sat together on the sofa as Anne voices her opinion on Stanley’s dismissal. Stanley and Anne sitting down, Stanley starts to play the harmonica and Anne joins in. Zoom in on a photograph of Anne. Cut to a photograph of Stanley and Anne at a wedding. Back to the photo of Anne, the camera pans across to the mantelpiece, cut to photos of Stanley holding a baby.
12:27 – 13:18 Stanley and Anne sitting together playing the harmonica intercut with old photographs. Zoom in on Stanley playing the harmonica, then shot of items on a shelf. End card.
Credits: Michel Veilleux (Director); Henrique Lazo (Editor); Tim Craven (Camera operator); Nick Waller (Producer)
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