Last Friday in Warsaw's Multikina Reduta premiere of the documentary "I am free. I am a pro-life” directed by Michał Król. The production was created thanks to the cooperation of the Centre of Life and Family, the Institute of Ordo Iuris and the Fr Piotr Skarga Christian Culture Association.
The movie shows pro-life movements in Poland and the United States. His main character is Dr. Baber Aondo-Akaa – a well-known social activist and life defender who seeks answers to 1 of the key questions of the contemporary pro-life movement: how to make life defence understandable and attractive to the young generation.
Controversy around the premiere
The organization of the premiere was not free of difficulty. As the organizers reported, uncovering the cinema area proved to be a large challenge. respective cinemas refused to show the film. Eventually, after long negotiations, we managed to organize a projection in Multikina.
The Prime Minister was part of the initiative "Time for LoveBefore this year’s National March of Life. As part of this campaign, many events, prayer meetings, workshops and conferences were held to defend life and deepen household relations.
The content and message of the film
Michael King's documentary is simply a moving survey of the contemporary pro-life movement, showing him as a bottom-up, multigenerational social initiative. The movie presents various forms of engagement of life defenders – from moving aid centers for pregnant women, offering material and educational support, to prayer vigils before abortion facilities.
The image of a young generation of American activists is peculiarly important. According to interviewers in the film, over 70% of participants in the March for Life in Washington are under the age of 30, which contradicts the stereotype that pro-life movement is mainly made up of older people. The paper besides discusses the importance of the Dobbs v. Jackson judgment, which overturned the Roe v. Wade precedent. The movie shows that the law acts as a ‘teacher’, shaping the social perception of the dignity of human life.
An crucial part is the evidence of people who have experienced a change under the influence of individual experiences – including nurses present at abortion or Abby Johnson, erstwhile manager of abortion clinic, and present pro-life activist. All these stories combine a belief in the value of human life and the request to defend it.
Polish context
The movie presents the Polish pro-life movement as a continuation of the heritage of "Solidarity" and teaching of John Paul II, which shaped in Poles a sense of moral work and belief that state law should be subject to ethical assessment. An crucial impetus for the improvement of the movement in Poland was the gathering of Mariusz Dzierżawski with American activist Greg Cunningham in Krakow about 20 years ago – this event helped to introduce effective methods of action inspired by American experience in our country.
The movie ends with a message of hope – cultural change and strengthening Christian foundations in public life.
Discussion after the screening
After the premiere there was a discussion with the film's creators: manager Michael Król and Dr. Baber Aondo-Aka. The debate was besides attended by Mariusz Dzierżawski from the Pro-Right to Life Foundation, as well as Agnieszka Gracz, coordinator of the Marches for Life and Family. The gathering was led by Marcin Perłowski, manager of the Center for Life and Family.
Michał Król talked about the scenes of the film's creation, difficulties in its implementation and distribution, and about the thought that guided it. He stressed that 1 of the objectives was to show how to effectively convey ideas pro-life to the young generation. He pointed out that the American pro-life movement – marked by a strong mobilization, youth engagement and real influence on politics – could be a valuable inspiration for Polish environments.
Dr. Baber Aondo-Akaa told viewers about the experiences that accompanied him during his production, which is simply a individual evidence to his beliefs and during his participation in the March for Life in Washington. He stressed that he was gathering with large kindness from those active in pro-life activities in the US. He besides pointed out the differences between the Polish and American pro-life movements – in Poland the opposition to sex ideology, which Dr. Baber Aondo-Akaa considers related to the promotion of abortion, is more emphasized.
Mariusz Dzierżawski from the Pro-Right to Life Foundation shared experiences with 20 years of pro-life activity. He spoke about various types of activity and commitment to the defence of life, including marches for life, anti-abortion exhibitions, or pro-life advocacy. He besides referred to controversy about drastic anti-abortion banners, pointing to their effectiveness – this thought was just taken from Greg Cunningham. He besides mentioned the ambivalent approach of any right-wing politicians to abortion, frequently utilized instrumentally in public debate.
Agnieszka Gracz from the Centre of Life and household told people about Polish speciality and local organizations Marches for Life and Family. She admitted that the defenders of life in the US put more emphasis on the defence of unborn life, while in Poland besides the component of household and matrimony defence is important. She besides argued that the value for young people is tremendous and should be much more valuable during pro-life events in Poland. She besides pointed out the request to increase awareness among young Poles of what abortion is in fact.
After the discussion, a session of questions was held with the audience, during which the audience shared testimonies and reflections related to the paper being watched.
The movie will be presented next Sunday in Wrocław.
