Wajda made two loosely connected films that would articulate contemporary Poland’s relationship with it’s recent political past. In the first, MAN OF MARBLE, a filmmaker attempts to discover the truth of the story of a discredited socialist hero whose image is enshrined in marble statues that are now hidden away from public view. As the filmmaker gets closer to the truth about the famous bricklayer, the complexities of the rise of communism in Poland are brought to light, and history’s effect on the current social struggle becomes radically apparent. MAN OF MARBLE balances satirical humor with Wajda’s poetic storytelling, and its own place in history is utterly unique. The 1970s brought a period of frequent strife between Polish workers organizing and party leaders, and the film’s release coincided with the strengthening of worker defense in Poland.

"100 Years of Poland’s Regained Independence: Polish History in Film Masterpieces" is a public task co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland under the "Collaboration in the Field of Public Diplomacy 2018" competition. The views expressed above are those of its author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

Event is financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage under the Cultural Bridges grant programme run by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute as part of the Multiannual ‘NIEPODLEGŁA’ Programme for 2017-2021.
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