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Film about priest who inspired Poles under communism wins top prize at festival

28.09.2020 07:45
A documentary about a Roman Catholic priest who provided spiritual inspiration to Poles under communism has been named the best production at a film festival that celebrates Poland’s struggle for freedom in the 20th century.
Polish Deputy Culture Minister Jarosław Sellin speaks at the awards ceremony on Sunday night.
Polish Deputy Culture Minister Jarosław Sellin speaks at the awards ceremony on Sunday night.Photo: PAP/Marcin Gadomski

The documentary telling the story of Fr. Stanisław Orzechowski won the “Golden Resistor” award of the 12th “Defiant, Unvanquished, Enduring” Film Festival, which closed in the northern city of Gdynia on Sunday.

The production, entitled Orzech, is co-directed by filmmaker and Polish Radio journalist Magdalena Piejko.

Filmmaker and Polish Radio journalist Magdalena Piejko collects the “Golden Resistor” award at the close of the 12th "Defiant, Unvanquished, Enduring" Film Festival on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. Photo: PAP/Marcin Gadomski Filmmaker and Polish Radio journalist Magdalena Piejko picks up the “Golden Resistor” award at the close of the 12th "Defiant, Unvanquished, Enduring" Film Festival on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. Photo: PAP/Marcin Gadomski

Meanwhile, director Alina Czerniakowska collected the "Platinum Resistor" lifetime achievement award during the closing night from Poland's Deputy Culture Minister Jarosław Sellin.

Documentary filmmaker Alina Czerniakowska received a lifetime achievement award during the close of the 12th “Defiant, Unvanquished, Enduring” Film Festival in Gdynia. Photo: PAP/Marcin Gadomski Documentary filmmaker Alina Czerniakowska speaks after winning her lifetime achievement award in Gdynia. Photo: PAP/Marcin Gadomski

More than 100 documentaries and feature films from various countries were screened during this year's festival, which celebrates Poland’s postwar anti-communist resistance heroes and its struggle for freedom from 1939 to 1989.

The annual event also included exhibitions, panel discussions, book launches and meetings with eyewitnesses of historical events.

Public broadcaster Polish Radio was a media partner of the festival.

(gs/pk)

Source: PAP