MARCH ’68. This Polish Movie is a Pleasant Surprise

March ’68, directed by Krzysztof Lang, is an honest and historically accurate film about the student protests in defense of Kazimierz Dejmek’s Forefathers’ Eve. It does justice to the victims of those events.

Lang’s film is, above all, a moving love story about two young people whose relationship falls apart due to the events of March 1968. Hania (Vanessa Aleksander) is Jewish by descent, while Janek (Ignacy Liss) is the son of a communist official. In the face of the vile anti-Semitic campaign, they find themselves on opposite sides of the unfolding conflict. March ’68 is a universal story about how political divisions destroy the idealism and joy of young people stepping into adulthood.

It is hard to shake the impression that the film is primarily aimed at young audiences—that it is them the creators wish to inform about the events of March 1968. The protests are depicted clearly and thoroughly, making March ’68 accessible even to those unfamiliar with the topic; in fact, it could even serve as a history lesson for them. I had the opportunity to discuss this film with historians and experts on the Polish People’s Republic, who unanimously agreed that it is a historically accurate and necessary production for Polish society. I share this view: March ’68 effectively reconstructs the mechanisms of political persecution, propaganda, scapegoating, and societal division. One of its greatest strengths is its portrayal of the events from multiple perspectives—both the oppressors, brainwashed by the communist regime, and the victims, including the intimidated students and Jews forced into exile. The creators aimed to expose the dirty tricks of political maneuvering, as screenwriter Andrzej Gołda admitted in an interview:

“We also try to show the mechanisms and the people behind them—the vile players who exploit the rightful protests of young people defending Forefathers’ Eve as a means to seize power. In this context, our film is not just an attempt to dust off the yellowed pages of Poland’s recent history. It is a universal and timeless story, as relevant today as it was half a century ago.”

The film is also targeted at young viewers through its protagonists, a student couple. The casting directors and young actors deserve praise—the chemistry between them is remarkable, and both characters are incredibly likable. We root for their romance; we want it to have a happy ending. We like these characters, who are natural and excellently portrayed. Vanessa Aleksander is an actress with extraordinary charm, bringing freshness to every role, while Ignacy Liss is an undeniable heartthrob who will surely have many teenage girls swooning when they watch March ’68 on school trips. I am rooting for both of their acting careers to flourish.

This is not a groundbreaking cinematic masterpiece, but a solid, well-crafted production. The educational value of March ’68 is significant. Viewers will learn historical truths and be reminded once again why xenophobia, anti-Semitism, and all forms of prejudice are so harmful and often have tragic consequences. And how foolish we still are as a society if we continue to fall for the tricks of those who thrive on creating divisions. Artistically, it follows a zero-degree style of filmmaking, but it is well-executed and has an engaging narrative, making it likely to reach a broad audience.