Martyred Priest Inspires Major Movie
One of the most costly Polish films of recent years is now in post-production and set for an early 2009 release.
Called simply Popieluszko, the film tells the tale of the legendary priest who was murdered by the Communist Secret Police in October 1984.
Father Jerzy Popieluszko was a staunch anti-communist who became a leading light in the Solidarity protest movement. His sermons were regularly broadcast by Radio Free Europe, and the regime tried to silence him on several occasions.
Ultimately, Popieluszko was kidnapped on October 19th 1984. His body was found in a reservoir near the town of Wroclawek ten days later.
The priests's death caused a national outrage, and 250,000 people attended the funeral.
The new film, written and directed by Rafal Wieczynski, cost 12 million zlotys and is scheduled for release on 20th February 2009.