She played his ex-wife in the film, and he was the camera operator. They have been together for 18 years

Maja Ostaszewska is one of the most popular Polish actresses. He has had many great roles in productions by the most outstanding directors. Her greatest success came with films such as “Body/Cia³o” and directed by the ex-wife of her long-time partner, Michał Englert. How did their first meeting happen?

Their love was born on the set. Today they are friends with his ex-wife

for 2 years she appeared alongside the famous screenwriter and actor, Łukasz Barczyk. They were a couple not only privately, but also professionally. Together they have produced many great productions, including: “I’m looking at you, Marysia” or the cult “The Spanish Flu”. Although their paths eventually diverged, they continued to work together professionally for the next three years. Everything changed only in 2004, when a new love appeared in the actress’s life.

It was then that work began on the set of the film “Solidarity, Solidarity”, made as part of the 25th anniversary of the founding of Solidarity. The production consisted of thirteen 10-minute etudes, and one of them, titled “Father”, featured . The director was Małgorzata Szumowska, and the cinematographer was her ex-husband, Michał Englert, from whom she had divorced just a few months earlier. There was an immediate spark between him and the filmmaker, but they realized that they were meant to be together only during one of the parties where they met by accident. – We noticed each other in Sopot, at a party at SPATiF. We started dancing. At dawn on the pier, we already knew that it would be difficult to part. It was an explosion. I fell terribly in love – the star recalled in . Even though both of them had been through a lot and weren’t looking for a relationship at the time, they felt that their paths hadn’t crossed by accident. – We met as adults, after various experiences. We knew what we expected. I think we both made a good match. We have free, creative professions, we understand each other perfectly, she said.

They have been a couple for 18 years, but they have not decided to get married. What is their recipe for a successful relationship?

After 2 years of marriage, their first-born son, Franciszek, was born, and later the family expanded with another child, daughter Janina. Even though Ostaszewska and Englert have been together for almost 18 years, they have never decided to get married. Reason? They both agree that they do not need a piece of paper to be happy, and that the foundation of a successful relationship is friendship and partnership. – I can’t imagine getting married just to meet social pressure. A wedding will not make our husband or wife our property, unconditionally and forever. We have been creating a family for a long time, without any paperwork, and we are very happy – she explained a few years ago, adding that she does not rule out that they will change their minds and decide to get married in the future.

They share a passion and love for art, they also have similar views on most fundamental issues, as well as strong characters. – We have great temperaments, but natural expression of emotions is cleansing and honest. Sometimes we resemble the Italian pattern: half the week can be wonderful, and the other half can be almost in crisis – said Ostaszewska in “Elle”. Compromises, however, are their strong point, because they emerge unscathed from every difficult situation and are able to find a solution. So what is their recipe for a successful relationship? They claim that there is no universal pattern that will work in every relationship. The most important thing is to want to get to know your partner and be open to what he has to offer. – What happens when we are together is more important than thinking about the moments when we are not – explained Ostaszewska.