SW News: Close on the heels of the theatre release of a movie on Mother Teresa, Fathom Events has announced their next release in the Saint Series, featuring Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, the “iron Primate” from Poland who vehemently opposed communism and also inspired St John Paul II.

Fathom Events and Kondrat Media announced that the new feature film “Prophet” would be released in US theaters on November 15 and 17. The movie is the first feature film on the life of Cardinal Wyszynski, the Primate of Poland and a national hero. It portrays the life of the prelate who courageously spoke against the communists who worked to destroy the Church by launching an operation code-named 'Prorok' (Prophet). As part of this operation, hundreds of secret agents were deployed to snoop on the cardinal and monitor every move. A fervent devotee of Our Lady, the Cardinal was a mentor of Fr Karol Wojtyla who later went on to become Pope John Paul II and a driving force in the downfall of communism in Poland.

The flick is a full-feature directorial debut of Polish filmmaker Michal Kondrat and the lead role is enacted by famous Poland actor Slawomir Grzymkowski. "The Prophet is going to awaken audiences to a churchman who shows the world what it means to stand against evil," said Kondrat. "Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski’s story sets the stage for the dramatic rise of Pope John Paul II and the fall of communism in Europe. Who is this prophetic man who battled evil and saw a son of Poland rising? Audiences will get to know Wyszynski - a fascinating figure that the world should look to during the hauntingly eerie times we are currently living in," Michal continued.

Despite being under Soviet control, the cardinal played a key role in celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of the Christianization of Poland at the national level on a mammoth scale much to the chagrin of the communist authorities. He even endured incarceration only to emerge stronger and more popular and influential among the masses. Cardinal Wyszynski died on May 28, 1981, soon after the failed assassination attempt on John Paul II on May 13. The Catholic Church accepted his sanctity and beatified him on September 12, 2021.