The Right Life: A Polish Youth’s Journey Between Faith, nationalism, and Self-Discovery
Wroclaw, Poland – The film “The Right Life,” directed by Hanna Nobis, offers a compelling portrait of 22-year-old Antek, a young man navigating a complex internal conflict shaped by his upbringing in a deeply religious and right-wing radical environment. Antek’s world is defined by strict Catholic doctrine and fervent nationalism, where premarital sex and homosexuality are considered taboo.
Active within a brotherhood dedicated too prayer, demonstrations against LGBTQ+ rights and perceived “Islamization,” and survivalist training in the forests, Antek embodies a commitment to defending traditional values.However, the film reveals a duality in his life. By day, he publicly proclaims his beliefs, leading rosary prayers with a megaphone in Wroclaw’s market square, aiming to “save Christians from persecution and Europe from Islamization.” By night, he seeks release at techno parties, engaging with young women.
Despite enjoying the leadership role he’s assuming within the brotherhood, Antek’s most meaningful influences are the women in his life. The film charts a pivotal shift when his first experience of profound love blossoms – not with a woman, but with a man. This realization begins to dismantle his previously rigid,homophobic worldview,leaving him torn between the constraints of his family and social circle and the allure of a more open and accepting existence.
“The Right Life” is a nuanced exploration of identity, belonging, and the universal search for love, set against the backdrop of contemporary Poland. It raises important questions about the power of personal experience to challenge deeply held beliefs and the courage required to forge one’s own path.
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