The Mother of Kings (1987)

Story opens with Lucja Krol's husband under the tram. She gives birth to her fourth son on the floor of their new apartment. Neighbor Wiktor, a communist intellectual, befriends the poverty-stricken family but is soon arrested and sent to jail. During the war Lucja narrowly escapes a Nazi roundup at the black market. Her sons hold ardent Communist meetings in their apartment, with her blessing. Lucja works hard, but without complaint. After the war, Klemens is inexplicably arrested, accused by the new regime of being a collaborator. Wiktor, now a high-ranking party member, trying to defend him, himself falls into disgrace. Klemens is tortured to "confess" and dies in jail, a Communist to the end. Lucja is never told about his fate.

Premiere

19 Sep 2026 (in 13 days)

Awards

Berlinale: Silver Bear (Outstanding Single Achievement)

Director

Janusz Zaorski

Cast

Magda Teresa Wójcik, Zbigniew Zapasiewicz, Franciszek Pieczka, Boguslaw Linda, Adam Ferency, Michal Juszczakiewicz, Krzysztof Zaleski, Joanna Szczepkowska, Henryk Bista, Zbigniew Bielski, Tadeusz Huk, Jerzy Trela

Countries

Poland

Languages

Polish

Available Versions

OmeU

Open-Air Showtimes

No