Walesa. Man of Hope (Wałęsa. Człowiek z nadziei)

How was it possible for one person to change the world so dramatically? It is as much a political as a psychological question. Wajda, intruding into a private, even intimate sphere of the trade union’s leader, attempts to capture the phenomenon of this incredible metamorphosis: from a simple worker, focused on his day-to-day duties, into a charismatic leader. This controversial persona, himself not without flaws, helped millions set free their dreams of freedom they’d been hiding deep in their hearts, setting the stage for transformations beyond anyone’s imagination.

And yet, Wałęsa’s story does not only have this one psychological or local dimension. It is embedded in the context of international politics. The life of a simple electrician, at first fighting for his fellow workers’ rights, becomes world news for several years to come. This historical perspective, combined with a dynamic story of daily life in the Polish People’s Republic, helps us understand the power of Wałęsa’s story. The film is mainly addressed to young people. Sometimes you must fight for freedom. Sometimes you must defend it. There are, however, no circumstances which could excuse you from contemplating freedom.