Post date: Aug 21, 2013 6:58:16 PM
WARSAW , POLAND (REUTERS / TVN) - Veteran Polish director Andrzej Wajda is bringing an inspiring political tale to the silver screen.
"Walesa. Man of Hope" is about shipyard worker-turned-national-hero, Lech Walesa, who emerged as the leader of the Solidarity trade union movement inPoland in the 1980s.
The group took on the Communist regime and won.Eighty-seven-year-old Wajda says he felt it was his duty to tell Walesa's story.
Andrzej Wajda, film director:
"In my opinion, at the moment in Poland, we need a movie showing a person who emerged from laborers. It is really beautiful that he wasn't a politician or someone primed to take control. He was not at ease publicly but he represents the most oppressed social group - workers."
Following democracy in Poland, Walesa's reputation waned.
He was accused of being a Communist informer - something the former president has always denied.
Wajda says the goal of his film was to re-focus attention on the highlights of Walesa's career.
Andrzej Wajda, film director:
"This is my movie. And he (Walesa) trusted me from the beginning. He said, 'I trust you, let's make a movie.' And I have tried not to let him down, and I can say that I have not disappointed him."
"Walesa. Man of Hope" will premiere at the 2013 Venice Film Festival.