March '68

<p><img alt="Laurel icon denoting the film is in competition for a Jury Prize." border="0" src="https://data.ajff.org/sites/default/files/2023-01/laurel_2023_JuryPrize_01.png" style="width:20%; max-width:20%; margin-left:10px; float:right;" />Amid the raging sociopolitical crisis of 1960s communist Poland, a pair of rebellious students blinded by love learns that freedom comes at a high price. Hania and Janek—she a theater major, he a technology student—are completely apathetic about politics and civil liberties. Yet, even as the carefree Warsaw couple tunes out the turmoil around them, growing government censorship and an antisemitic purge cannot be ignored. As Hania’s Jewish family emigrates to safety, and student protestors violently clash with repressive authorities, sides are chosen in a brutal climax. This handsomely crafted historical drama depicts the inexorable convergence of a whirlwind romance, a battle for national identity, and political awakening.</p>