Identification Marks: None

Andrzej Leszczyc, recently expelled from the student list, sets off on September 1st to the military commission. Although most of his peers try to avoid service, he volunteers for the army. At home, he faces a crisis – his marriage is falling apart, and his beloved dog has passed away. Before the train departs, Andrzej spends several hours in the city, meeting old acquaintances and a young woman who reminds him of his wife. He tries to maintain the appearance of a normal life, calls his mother, engages in brief conversations, all of which reveal his sense of disorientation. The only moment he shows genuine desire is when answering a street poll question – he wishes to fly into space, seeing it as a chance for something absolute and irreversible. Jerzy Skolimowski’s 1967 film is the director’s feature debut and the first installment in a series dedicated to the character of Leszczyc. It consists of short scenes and situations that portray a young man alienated and uncertain about his role in the world, full of doubts yet curious about life. The character’s story continues in subsequent films – Barrier, Walkover, and Hands Up.