After setting the context of the production, Master of Ceremonies, Darek Paczynski called on Polish Consul General, Regina Jurkowska to give her opening remarks welcoming and introducing the 70 minute documentary eagerly awaited on by an 80 plus audience populated with celebrities and Kosciuszko enthusiasts. The audience enjoyed a wonderful curtain raiser consisting of moving and entertaining musical and poetical performances by Marek Barterowicz, soundtrack composer Jozef Miller, actress Maria Bukowska as well as a beautiful dance routine performed by members of Lajkonik.

With the documentary underway I reflected on similarities between Anzac traditions and Kosciuszko’s defeat at the Battle of Maciejowice on October 10, 1794. Both were defeats, and defeats are rarely memorialised by people eager to dance, party and celebrate victories. For Australia the defeat at Anzac Cove represented the birth of a national identity - courage, endurance, resourcefulness, mateship, giving everyone a fair go and a disdain of class.

But for Poland, an ancient nation, after Maciejowice, Poles became a people without a country. Elevated hopes of breaking the chains of Russian oppression - the 3rd of May Constitution, Kosciuszko’s victory at Raclawice, serfdom abolished, and rights of property ownership for peasants - all dashed. For Kosciuszko the leader of the insurrection, who did so much to win liberty for America in their War of Independence, the moment of defeat at Maciejowice was psychologically, emotionally and spiritually devastating. Critically wounded and captured by the Russians at that moment he was in suicidal despair.

Kosciuszko was imprisoned at St Petersburg for two years. How did he survive? This is the time when Poles became known for their indomitable spirit, a people who have experienced defeat, yes, even bitter defeat but a people who are NEVER conquered. I enjoyed the poetic licence of Niemcewicz predicting Poland’s rebirth, 124 winters hence. My mind focused on the documentary, like everyone else in the room, I became engrossed in the story in anticipation.

We witness the moment of suicidal despair dissipate as the days, weeks and months pass. Suddenly, at the film’s midpoint, a climactic pivot point is reached. The insatiable power hungry Tsarina Catherine has perished and the newly sworn in Tsar Paul immediately after his mother’s funeral, visits Kosciuszko at the Marble Palace, surrounded by the General’s entourage he says:

“General I've come to restore your freedom … It is my very first edict.‟

How will the long imprisoned General react? Will he obsequiously kneel to lick the Tsar’s boots and cringingly mutter words of servile gratitude? Or will he jeopardise the possibility of his release? At this moment we see Kosciuszko become Kosciuszko again! His spirit healed, he talks truth to power. How will the Tsar react to Kosciuszko’s soliloquy in front of his own entourage? To his credit Paul reacts positively, he turns to his generals and says:

“Look at that – such passion!

“Poland Will Dance Again” is not a story about all of Kosciuszko’s life; it is a story of one small part, the part when Kosciuszko the Man triumphed over deep adversity and transitioned into Kosciuszko the Legend. A legend of colossal importance to an orphaned people, it helped inspire a patriotic spirit and cultural self-belief that energised generations to strive for Poland’s rebirth, for Poland to ‘Dance Again’. The story is told well, the film is a resounding success.

A powerful thoroughly researched and historically accurate script is superbly delivered; the dialogue sustains viewer interest throughout. Actress Maria Bukowska perfectly accentuates the prevailing feeling with commentary and verse. Song interludes by Lech Makowiecki, Maja Kedziora and Adam Wasiel not only deepen these feelings but act as a fine segues between different moods. The voices of Andrzej Siedlecki (Niemcewicz) and Tom Herman (Kosciuszko) fit their respective characters. It’s how I imagined these people would sound like in real life, although I think, perhaps, the Russian oafs sound a tad melodramatic. Overall, however, the tone, timing and tempo of the vocals enhance the moods elicited by the moving score composed by Josef Miller; despair, pathos, defiance, hope and the joys of liberty restored.

The visuals are on par with the quality of the vocals and sound track. Original artwork and images produced by graphic artists from Poland, Piotr Sza³kowski and Grazyna Kostawska, as well as Australia, Kasia Wasilewska-Wojtan, Basia Rodanska, Vitek Skonieczny and Adam Fiala together with the aptly paced plot complete the outstanding viewing experience.

This moving documentary is rightfully dedicated to the Ngarigo people of the Monaro region who are the traditional custodians of the territory where Mount Kosciuszko is located. They too experienced the despair of being dispossessed of their homeland and the pain and emptiness of oppression. The name of Australia’s highest mountain was penned by the son of a Kosciuszko Uprising insurgent, Paul Edmund Strzelecki. Paul venerated Kosciuszko, not only as his father's superior military commander, and as a Polish patriot and freedom fighter, but as a man who represented the ideals of equal rights, democracy and freedom for all, the lofty values which Kosciuszko devoted his life to; the highest moral values of humankind which today form the core of social life in Australia. Strzelecki and Kosciuszko throughout their lives had great empathy for native peoples around the world, in this regard; both were men ahead of their time.

Having researched both lives in depth, I noticed another connection alluded to in this documentary. One of the celebrities who honoured Kosciuszko with a visit at the Hotel Sablonierre, Leicester Square whilst he was in England, was William Wilberforce the famous English politician, philanthropist, and leader of the successful movement to abolish the slave trade in England. Just over seventy years later, Strzelecki became a member of ‘The East African Slave Trade Committee’, the President at that time happened to be Samuel Wilberforce, William’s third son!

“Kosciuszko: Poland Will Dance Again” teaches the lesson never to lose hope no matter what the adversity and it succeeds in showing how Kosciuszko the Man transitioned into Kosciuszko the Legend. In my mind’s eye at the end of the film, I could picture Kosciuszko silhouetted against a dawning sky, dissolving into heavenly clouds.

Felix Molski