Jan Pawel II: Szukalem Was...

"John Paul II is blessed because of his faith, a strong, generous and apostolic faith." (Pope Benedict XVI)

John Paul II, famous and popular in the whole world. But still someone may ask: "Who was this man in white? A pilgrim? A leader? A God's man? A friend?" Everyone somehow stands before this question. For some, he remains a religious leader, for some a father, for others a superstar who caught the attention of show business around the world. Some only looked at him, waved at him but others listened to him. Yet there are also people who ignore him for various reasons. Emotions are diverse and it seems easy to make a documentary and touch people even to tears. Anyway, a lovable VIP may be a wonderful material for a smashing success on the screen. But is that the gist?

Within the great amount of information and a number of interpretations (lots of documentaries, interviews and feature films), it is hard to highlight the most important aspects of who this man really was. I WAS LOOKING FOR YOU, inspired by the words said by deceased John Paul II, a documentary made by a young Polish director, Jaroslaw Szmidt, appears to catch the glimpse of something beyond a mere 'medial encyclopedia' about a VIP. With running length of a feature film and released soon before the beatification of John Paul II, the documentary won a great acclaim both among the authorities (seen at the Vatican under the title "Pellegrino Vestito in Bianco") as well as general audience. It may also touch you deeply no matter what denomination you belong to and what you believe in. Why? Because it is foremost about HEART rather than office, about a MAN rather than a pope.

I WAS LOOKING FOR YOU shows a man who visits the many parts of our planet, from the capitalistic world of the United States through the communist regimes of his homeland and diverse realities of other European countries to the most 'unusual' spots you do not see regularly on TV like 'Africa in miniature,' the Indian territories, the mysterious lands of Mexico. He goes there and really HAS something to say and offer to all peoples. Thanks to fruitful collaboration with CTV, RAI, LUCE, MEDIASET, we get an unknown footage of various apostolic trips. Stunning footage! What is more, there is a lovely insight into some specific features of various lands along with some breathtaking images.

I WAS LOOKING FOR YOU highlights a man whose fight for human rights makes him respected by various authorities no matter of religion or policy, including the 14th Dalai Lama and Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau...

I WAS LOOKING FOR YOU depicts a messenger of peace who is not afraid to condemn all wars...

I WAS LOOKING FOR YOU highlights a humble personality that is ready to admit the guilts of the Church, his Church and apologize for them...

I WAS LOOKING FOR YOU manifests the integrating power of a man who eliminates fear and opens the doors of the world, some having been locked for years...

I WAS LOOKING FOR YOU is a tribute to a man of prayer and a man of dialog, the one who does not convert into religion but inspires to love...

I WAS LOOKING FOR YOU is a tribute to a great friend of children and young people who FIRST listens to each one of them with compassion and love. "John Paul two, he loves you" As a matter of fact, they were primarily the ones whom he was looking for and really found. The symbolic song by Marco Frisina "Jesus Christ, you are my life" is on the lips of many enthusiastic, seeking young people...

Supplied with wonderful music score by Michal Lorenz, dynamic narration, vibrant aesthetic effects, stunning shots of landscapes and a fantastic commentary by Krzysztof Ziemiec who visits many spots where cameras usually do not get, I WAS LOOKING FOR YOU makes a valuable contribution to Polish documentaries, something we may at last be happy about. And it is a satisfactory fact that such a well done documentary is, in fact, a tribute to John Paul II - the person we, Poles, are very proud of. The interviewed authorities who utter something useful and constructive include cardinal Stanislav Dziwisz, archbishop Piero Marini, and Joaquin Navarro-Valls. They knew him and always have something interesting to say.

I WAS LOOKING FOR YOU may also be considered as a film which looks for viewers. Sure, it is, ironically, true in a way. Yet, that commercial target is definitely not the primary one in this case. There is something more since, along with the spirit of the Gospel that John Paul II spread worldwide, it truly inspires a new image of the world, a renewed idea of a man and promotes a new civilization that MAY heal our planet. That aspect is far ahead of our times but still appears to be a goal at hand. The producers of this movie do great job in foreseeing John Paul II acclaimed as one of the most unique personalities in the history of mankind. The fact that so many people cherish the memory of this man is a phenomenon that over and over again makes it worth appreciating the blessed pilgrim in white who embraced humanity, a man of 'strong, generous and apostolic faith' inspired by the Divine Presence of Love.

Hope it will be released worldwide! Worth viewing!