BACKGROUND: From a previous post of this Blog: "Tomasz Komenda: Poland: Three News Stories: From our 'Enough to make one weep' department. (This Blog's first Polish case) Story One: The 42-year-old man is acquitted, thanks to advancements in forensic science, after serving 18 years in prison for the rape and murder of a teenager he did not commit; Story Two: He is awarded Poland's highest ever compensation payout, and utters the words, "my nightmare is over." Part Three: Terrible News: Tragedy strikes. Death by cancer just four years after he is freed and exonerated."
https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/120008354894645705/1424107525253688709
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QUOTE OF THE DAY: "The narrative woven in this film resonates with many who followed Tomasz Komenda’s ordeal—the public outcry, media coverage, and even artistic dedications reflect the widespread impact of his case. Holoubek expressed his initial anger towards the injustice faced by Komenda, stating, “There has grown inside me a wrath for what happened. I felt it was necessary to tell the story of Tomasz Komenda's unfounded imprisonment to a broad audience.”
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MOVIE REVIEW: "TVN To Air Powerful Film About Tomasz Komenda's Wrongful Conviction," directed by Jan Holoubek, published by 'The Pinnacle Gazette,' on March 21, 2025. The film is called: ""25 Years of Innocence: The Tomasz Komenda Case." It is reviewed by Evrim Ağacı in The Pinnacle Gazette.
SUB-HEADING: "The dramatic retelling of a tragic judicial error captivates audiences with heartfelt performances and poignant storytelling."
GIST: "Tonight, on March 20, 2025, at 21:55, TVN will air the emotional drama "25 Years of Innocence: The Tomasz Komenda Case," directed by Jan Holoubek. This film tells the harrowing true story of Tomasz Komenda, who was wrongly convicted and spent 18 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.
In the early 2000s, at just 23 years old, Komenda was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the rape and murder of 15-year-old Małgorzata, a crime he consistently maintained his innocence of. The film aims to depict the journey of a young man unjustly accused, his struggle for justice, and his unbreakable spirit in the face of profound injustice.
The cinematic portrayal of this tragic story features Piotr Trojan as Tomasz Komenda and Agata Kulesza as his mother, Teresa Klemańska. Their performances have been praised, capturing the emotional turmoil and drama of the situation effectively. The film has already garnered acclaim from critics and audiences alike, winning several awards, including those for directing, screenplay, and the lead male role.
Holoubek's directorial debut was not just a success; it became a poignant representation of one of Poland’s most shocking judicial errors. The film sheds light on the systemic failures within the justice system and its devastating impact on individual lives, provoking thought about the value of freedom and the consequences of wrongful decisions.
After years of suffering in prison—where he faced intimidation, humiliation, and violence—Komenda was finally acquitted in 2018. His story did not end there; in 2021, he received 13 million zlotys in compensation for the wrongful conviction. Tragically, just a few years after his exoneration, he passed away in February 2024 due to cancer at the age of 47.
The narrative woven in this film resonates with many who followed Tomasz Komenda’s ordeal—the public outcry, media coverage, and even artistic dedications reflect the widespread impact of his case. Holoubek expressed his initial anger towards the injustice faced by Komenda, stating, “There has grown inside me a wrath for what happened. I felt it was necessary to tell the story of Tomasz Komenda's unfounded imprisonment to a broad audience.”
His commitment to truthful storytelling and his determination to address such profound issues made this film a rigorous project in his professional career. As stated by critic Błażej Hrapkowicz, the film’s structure is both thoughtful and engaging, presenting an intelligent American-style cinema, enhanced by superb edits and masterful directing.
"25 Years of Innocence: The Tomasz Komenda Case" not only highlights the individual struggles of Komenda, but it also pushes viewers to confront critical questions about justice and accountability in society.
As a notable production that has received accolades across various platforms, including six Orły awards for best performances and editing, the film emerges as a significant cultural artifact worthy of attention this evening.
For those interested in a moving recount of a haunting chapter in Poland’s legal history, tune in tonight at 21:55 on TVN to witness the intricacies and emotional depth of Tomasz Komenda’s journey towards justice."
The entire review can be read at:
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue/resource. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith. Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com. Harold Levy: Publisher: The Charles Smith Blog.
SEE BREAKDOWN OF SOME OF THE ON-GOING INTERNATIONAL CASES (OUTSIDE OF THE CONTINENTAL USA) THAT I AM FOLLOWING ON THIS BLOG, AT THE LINK BELOW: HL:
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/120008354894645705/4704913685758792985
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FINAL WORD: (Applicable to all of our wrongful conviction cases): "Whenever there is a wrongful conviction, it exposes errors in our criminal legal system, and we hope that this case — and lessons from it — can prevent future injustices."
Lawyer Radha Natarajan:
Executive Director: New England Innocence Project;
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FINAL, FINAL WORD: "Since its inception, the Innocence Project has pushed the criminal legal system to confront and correct the laws and policies that cause and contribute to wrongful convictions. They never shied away from the hard cases — the ones involving eyewitness identifications, confessions, and bite marks. Instead, in the course of presenting scientific evidence of innocence, they've exposed the unreliability of evidence that was, for centuries, deemed untouchable." So true!
Christina Swarns: Executive Director: The Innocence Project;
