Man of Iron is a 1981 film directed by Andrzej Wajda. It depicts the Solidaritylabour movement and its first success in persuading the Polish government to recognize the workers' right to an independent union. The film continues the story of Maciej Tomczyk, the son of Mateusz Birkut, the protagonist of Wajda's earlier film, Man of Marble. Here, Maciej is a young worker involved in the anti-Communist labour movement, described as "the man who started the Gdańsk Shipyard strike", and a journalist working for the Communist regime's radio station, who is given a task of slandering Maciej. The young man is clearly intended as a parallel to Lech Wałęsa. Man of Iron clarifies the ending of Man of Marble, which left the death of Mateusz Birkut ambiguous. Man of Iron explicitly states that Mateusz was killed in clashes at the shipyards in 1970. The film was made during the brief thaw in Communist censorship that appeared between the formation of Solidarity in August 1980 and its suppression in December 1981, and as such it is remarkably critical of the Communist regime. Because of this it was banned in 1981 by the Polish government. The film won the Palme d'Or and the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the 1981 Cannes Film Festival. It was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Plot
In Gdańsk shipyard workers strike continues. Among them, an important role is played by activist Strike Committee, Maciek Tomczyk. Radio journalist, editor Winkel is ordered by the deputy chairman of Radio Committee to achieve coverage compromising Tomczyk. He is sent to Gdańsk, where a representative of the authorities Badecki realizes the importance of his job. Winkel as a journalist on behalf of the ruling party can not get through the gate of the yard. The crowd in front of the gate of Winkel meets a friend, Dzidka, which previously got a job in Gdańsk television. Dzidek tells him about Tomczyk, as it turns out - his friend from college. Father of Tomczyk, Mateusz Birkut, then would not allow his son to take part in the student protests in March 1968. Winkel is going to get a pass into the yard. To this end, the family visits Wiesława Hulewicz, from which he learns of the death of Birkut during the events of December 1970, and in that Tomczyk, he married Agnes, who in 1976 worked on a film about Birkut. Journalist visits unrealized director in custody, which was thrown for supporting the strike. Agnes tells him about how she met Tomczyk and her marriage with him. By the way Winkel argues that the protesters are right for their demands. Winkel decides not to shoot reportage. Finally, a government delegation signs with Inter-Strike Committee agreement.
