Still from "Wałęsa: Man from Hope", photo: press materials
Andrzej Wajda's “Wałęsa: Man of Hope”(2013) ends with the footage of Wałęsa making his famous November 1989 speech at Congress. As reported by Polskie Radio; “When I recall the road we have travelled I often think of that jump over the fence,” Wałęsa told Congress. “Now others jump fences and tear down walls. They do it because freedom is a human right.”
Initially planned for 8 October, the projection is now scheduled to take place on 4 December at the main auditorium at the Congress. The event is co-organised by the Polish Embassy in Washington and a group of Polish - US senators.
In additon to Lech Wałęsa himself, other guests invited for the screening are members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as Americans who have played a significant role in supporting Solidarity. Robert Wieckiewicz, who played the title role in Wajda's biographical film, will also attend the screening.
"Wałęsa: Man of Hope" is the last part of Wajda’s trilogy about how worker disillusionment with communism helped to bring about the system's fall. It shows how Wałęsa grew from a regular worker at a time of violent food protests to a charismatic strike leader who negotiated with communist authorities, and finally, to national hero and international statesman who won the 1983 Nobel Peace Prize. Amid the controversies about his current image in the Polish public’s eye, Wajda’s “Wałęsa: Man of Hope” prefers to present the true Wałęsa to the world, and remind people of the Solidarity leader's enduring legacy.
The movie had its world premiere at the 70th Venice Film Festival on 5 September, 2013 and was screened in Poland throughout the month of October. The film is Poland's official candidate for the Best Foreign Language Film at the next March's Oscars. Official nominations are due to be announced on 16 January, 2014.
Stills from the film
Edited by E.M., 29/11/2013