For those interested in recent Polish history: http://www.polskieradio.pl/zagranica/news/artykul102440.html I've copied the article below; it makes an interesting comparison with this item from the BBC on the Church in Poland today: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7884472.stm Bronwyn. *A premiere of the long-awaited production entitled Popiełuszko. Freedom is within Ourselves is taking place at Warsaw's Grand Theater - National Opera this evening.* The movie is based on the life of the late Father Jerzy Popiełuszko from his early childhood to his brutal murder by the communist secret police in October 1984. Film director Rafał Wierzyński has said he was 16 when he came to the funeral of the priest, and has since then pondered whether he himself would be capable of such sacrifice. *"That is when my political and religious awareness came through. Looking back, I know that I did not understand Father Popiełuszko back then - I see that now. I didn't comprehend his calling. Like most people I was aware that he stood up to the authorities but I didn't know where his strength them came from. I now understand that it came from his faith."* Adam Woronicz, who played the lead role in the movie, has said he strove to portray a priest that united people. The fortunes of Father Jerzy Popiełuszko have been set against the background of the key events in the 1980s in Poland, such as the August protests in 1980, which led to the establishment of the Solidarity trade union, as well as patriotic manifests during martial law imposed in the early 80s. The filming, which lasted seven months, took place in 14 cities in Poland and involved a cast of thousands. The movie will be screened across cinemas from 27 February. Father Jerzy Popiełuszko was born on 14 September 1947 in the village of Okopy in eastern Poland. His strong support for the Solidarity movement as well as open criticism of the communist regime won him broad public support in the country. He was murdered for political reasons on 19 October 1984. His funeral ceremony was attended by up to half a million people.