Mid-1930s Silesia. Jaś has a wife and two little sons and works in an unprofitable coal mine to be shut down. A strike breaks out. Families help strikers despite the police surrounding the site. Petitions to the government are to no avail, and coal mine managers remain adamant, so workers go on a hunger strike. As a result, the police brutally pacifies the demonstration, but miners are determined enough to issue one more demand.
Selected awards
Lubuskie Film Summer 1972: Golden Grape; award for an actor in a leading role (Franciszek Pieczka); Don Quixote Award of the Polish Federation of Film Discussion Clubs
Milan IFF 1972: Golden Globe
Panama IFF 1972: Grand Prix; award for directing (Kazimierz Kutz)
European Youth Film Festival in Antwerp 1973: Mediorama Award
Selected awards
Lubuskie Film Summer 1972: Golden Grape; award for an actor in a leading role (Franciszek Pieczka); Don Quixote Award of the Polish Federation of Film Discussion Clubs
Milan IFF 1972: Golden Globe
Panama IFF 1972: Grand Prix; award for directing (Kazimierz Kutz)
European Youth Film Festival in Antwerp 1973: Mediorama Award