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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Wajda i krzyż

subject

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Among literary, social, historical or political inspirations ofAndrzej Wajda’s movies, it’s necessary to consider religious motifs and symbols present in his fims. The article proposes a review ofthree fims: Ashes and Diamonds (Popiół i diament), Pilate and Others (Piłat i inni) and Katyn (Katyń), to emphasize a particular role of the cross. In the opening scene of Ashes and Diamonds three crosses indicate a possible salvation for the protagonists, who however remain blind to it. Pilate and Others, a biblical apocryphal fim, reveals indifference ofcontemporaries and a lay society to Jesus, to his sufferance and his Cross. Katyn, a historical drama, is about searching for the truth about Soviet crime against Polish offiers in 1940, hidden during decennia. Its symbol is an empty Cross and a crucifi, covered with a military mantle. Andrzej Wajda used consciously these symbols both to show the importance of the Christianity and its values and to show with empathy human disinterest with it. Several religious or biblical symbols can be also identifid in other movies (Speed; Samson; Korczak; Holy Week).