- Title: Polish men recreate Lynch’s road film on European scale
- Date: 22nd August 2016
- Summary: JAWORZNO, POLAND (AUGUST 21, 2016) (REUTERS) CREW FILMING DOCUMENTARY UJADZKI WITH FILM CREW PRIESTS SAYING GOOD-BYE TRACTORS IN JAWORZNO MAIN SQUARE PRIEST, MIROSLAW TOSZA, GETTING ON TRACTOR JAWORZNO RESIDENTS TOSZA DRIVING OFF VARIOUS OF TRACTORS DRIVING
- Embargoed: 6th September 2016 13:49
- Keywords: Poland Lynch film journey
- Location: JAWORZNO, POLAND
- City: JAWORZNO, POLAND
- Country: Poland
- Topics: Human Interest/Brights/Odd News,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA0034W7JRCP
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Five men departed in mini tractors on Sunday (August 21) for a journey from the southern Polish town Jaworzno to Lisieux, France in an attempt to relive the soul-searching experience of David Lynch's film "The Straight Story".
Four of those making the journey are residents of the "Bethlehem" homeless shelter, accompanied by a priest running the shelter, and they say they plan to drive over 1,700 kilometres to find redemption.
The expedition, which they call a pilgrimage, was inspired by Lynch's film which tells the true story of Alvin Straight's 1994 journey across Iowa and Wisconsin on a lawn mower.
The Polish men, who have battled with addiction and rejection from their families and society, want to show they have the strength to overcome weakness and achieve a goal.
"The most important in this pilgrimage for me is to be there and pray in silence for being with your family, with people, for good relations, for love, for honesty," said one of the men, Kazimierz Lara.
"When we stand before the almighty, what will I tell him? While we have this time on Earth, this is a time for reflection," said Jacek Baczynski before departing.
The journey will take the pilgrims to Lisieux in France, where they will visit a basilica named after Saint Theresa, the patron of homeless.
Lynch learned about the effort and sent the men a message, wishing them good luck in what he called a journey for "forgiveness, for love, for freedom and for peace."
Film crews are also working with the travellers, recording their journey for a possible documentary.
The journey is expected to take a few weeks through back roads and with the ageing tractors reaching speeds of no more than 15 kilometres per hour. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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