’Wielka Droga’ – ‘The Long Road’ – screening of the film with Irena Anders

Date: 12-05-2023 Hour: 19:00

Event place: London - Ognisko

Ognisko Polskie (Polish Hearth), together with the Polish Institute & Sikorski Museum, and Filmoteka Narodowa – Instytut Audiowizualny (FINA), present a digitally remastered screening of “WIELKA DROGA” presented in the Polish language with English subtitles.

This film is being screened on the anniversary of the birth of Renata Bogdańska (Irena Anders) who has a starring role in the film alongside Albin Ossowski.

The film follows the fate of two engaged couples separated by the outbreak of World War 2, but this love story also incorporates authentic, and unique archival recordings, as the action moves from the siege of Lwów in 1939 to the formation of the Anders Army and evacuation of Polish citizens from Soviet labour camps, and the subsequent journey through Iran, Iraq, Palestine and Egypt, leading to the Italian Campaign and Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944.

Wielka Droga was shot in 1946 in Italy, directed by Michał Waszyński with the score by Henryk Wars. Despite this film’s historic importance it remains largely unknown. Poland’s National Film Archive – Audiovisual Institute took on the daunting project of restoring the film, and finally completed the work in 2022.

Renata Bogdańska/Irena Anders

A stage actress and singer, Renata Bogdańska performed with Henryk Wars’ troupe during World War 2, and later with the Polska Parada (Polish Parade) band, entertaining the Polish Armed Forces in the West commanded by General Władysław Anders. She was one of the first singers to perform the iconic anthem “Czerwone Maki na Monte Cassino” (The Red Poppies on Monte Cassino). Beautiful and talented, she captivated Generał Anders and they married, eventually settling in London since neither could return to Poland. Renata Bogdańska (Irena Anders) performed regularly on stage at Ognisko Polskie (Polish Hearth) and, together with her husband were central to Polish emigre life at the Club.

Generał Władysław Anders

One of the most renowned leaders of the Polish Army, General Władysław Anders was at the head of the “Anders Army” formed in the Soviet Union following the Sikorski–Mayski agreement between the Soviet Union and Poland signed in July, 1941. This allowed for the release of Polish prisoners-of-war held in the notorious Lbyanka prison, and which included General Anders, and also Polish citizens deported to gulags in the USSR by the Red Army. The deportations began during the night of 9-10th February 1940, and reached an estimated total of 1.4 million men, women and children. Some of the Poles released by the Sikorski-Mayski agreement joined the Polish Army formed by General Anders in the Soviet Union, and were evacuated to Teheran from the USSR, together with many Polish civilians. This explains why General Anders had an iconic status among his troops and the civilians whose lives were saved through his leadership. However, many Polish civilians entitled to be released from gulags were not able to leave and remained incarcerated. By 1945 approximately only 554,000 of the 1.4 million deportees were still alive.
General Anders led the newly reformed Polish Army Second Corps through the North Africa and Italian Campaigns, and after the war he built a new life in Britain with his wife Renata Bogdańska (Irena Anders). He served as a prominent member of the Polish Government-in-Exile in London, and was a frequent visitor to Ognisko Polskie.

WHEN: Friday, 12 May 12, 2023,  7pm for 7.30pm

WHERE: Ognisko Polskie – Polish Hearth, 55 Princes Gate, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2PN

TICKETS: Member Price: £5. Non-member Price: £7 to buy here

Entry price includes snacks and wine.

 

Socials:

Najnowsze LATEST


Exchange rates

PLN/GBP:
GBP/PLN:
GBP/EUR: