Father Popieluszko

Director Rafal Wieczynski presents the Italian audience with his movie Freedom is within us. Popieluszko, dedicated to the life of the priest who was also a prominent member of Solidarity.

Gariwo contributor Annalia Guglielmi, who met the priest personally and authored the book Popieluszko. Non si può uccidere la speranza, (Popieluszko: you can't kill hope) will take part in the presentations.


Annalia Guglielmi's personal memory "I was in Warsaw when he was killed"

THE MOVIE
This movie, which was first presented at the International Film Festival of Rome in 2009, describes the struggle for freedom of the priest who paid for the opposition to the regime with his own life.
In August 1980 Father Popieluszko supports the workers on strike at the Danzig Wharfs and comes closer to the underground trade union Solidarity. He gives rise to the Masses for the Nation which are attended by thousands faithfuls. In a homily he underlines the "inalienable dignity of man" and this sentence is brought as a piece of evidence against him by the regime. Father Popieluszko isn't frightened by threats and on 19th October 1984 he is abducted and murdered by the Polish secret services. He will be beatified next 6th June in Warsaw.
The movie met distribution problems and, like Katyn, can be presented only thanks to private associations.

The links for the film review and the video on the life and murder of the priest are provided in the box below