Descendants of the Latin Civilization

Descendants of the Latin Civilization

38' 2020
dir.: Robert Kowalski

How has the Independence March in Warsaw changed? November 11 - from 2016 to 2020.

Their goal is formation of a "Great National Poland," a slogan which they shout every year as they march down Warsaw streets on November 11, National Independence Day. It started in 1996, when the only people marching were members of the National Rebirth of Poland, a radical nationalist party. As of 2010, many far-right groups began marching together - the National Rebirth of Poland, All-Polish Youth, Autonomic Nationalists and others. During the early years, marchers manifested national pride in an overtly fascist and anti-Semitic way. Men in brown shirts raised their hands in a Nazi salute. While over time the Roman salute was replaced with Jesus, Mary and the cross, the organizers are unable to stop anti-Semitic slogans despite their attempts at caution and "Jews out, Poland is ours" is an annual chant. The March of Independence has grown in size each year. In 2018, 250,000 people marched, including the leader of the ruling party, Jarosław Kaczyński. Organizers emphasize that the participants are "ordinary Polish families with children." The film shows the marches in 2016-2020, when the organizers had informal agreements with the police to stay out of each other's way. All manifested chauvinism, anti-Semitism, racism and homophobia. All wished imminent death upon enemies of the motherland.

Robert Kowalski


Screenings of the film as part of the WATCH DOCS travelling festival are co-financed by the European Union in the frame of the European Parliament's grant programme in the field of communication. The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is, in no case, responsible for or bound by the information or opinions expressed in the context of this action. In accordance with applicable law, the authors, interviewed people, publishers or programme broadcasters are solely responsible. The European Parliament can also not be held liable for direct or indirect damage that may result from the implementation of the action.

38' 2020 Polska
Director
Robert Kowalski
Cinematography
Paweł Sierpiński, Paweł Łysakiewicz, Franciszka Lewandowska
Editing
Rafał Bryll
Production
OKO.press
Screenings