In the late 1950s, he studied filmmaking in France. His second movie "The Devil" (1972) was banned in Poland, and Żuławski went to France. After the success of "" in 1975, he returned to Poland where he spent two years making "On the Silver Globe" (1988). After that, Żuławski moved to France where he became known for controversial and violent art-house movies. Żuławski is also known for his work with actresses including Romy Schneider, Isabelle Adjani and Sophie Marceau.