Наиболее значительным фильмом Сколимовского в 60-е годы был «Барьер», снятый еще в Польше (Bariera, 1966, Гран-при на МКФ в Бергамо-66, специальная премия на МКФ в Вальядолиде-68). Студента выгнали из общежития на Страстной неделе. Ему нужно пройти долгий путь, чтобы отыскать честное и ненаносное. Студента ждёт множество приключений, множество терзаний и любовь. Skolimowski’s third film and one of his best, BARRIER is an extraordinary fusion of fantasy and documentary that adds up to a disenchanted but humorous look at the Poland of the time. The barrier of the title refers to the communication breakdown between young and old, and the impossibility of individual expression in a totalitarian state. The hero is a student drop-out and the film follows his dreamlike journey as he tries to figure out what to do with his life and his relationship with his tram-driving girlfriend, in whom he finds a spark of hope. Full of startling imagery, outrageous visual metaphors and bizarre landscapes, BARRIER is that rare bird, a genuinely surrealist film.