Man of Iron

(Czlowiek z zelaza, Andrzej Wajda, Poland 1981, 130 min., 35mm, Polish w/subtitles)

Wajda. Probably Wajda’s most famous film, Man of Iron is an unflinching depiction of one of the most important events in recent Polish history: the rise of the independent, free Solidarity labor movement and its initial success in negotiations with the ruling political system. We follow the story through the eyes of a corrupt journalist, assigned by the Party to present Solidarity in a negative light. This bold, sprawling epic was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Palme d’Or at Cannes.

Presented in collaboration with the Skalny Center for Polish and Central European Studies, University of Rochester.