The Polish ex-President attended the screening in Venice in the company of his wife and the Polish Minister of Culture Bogdan Zdrojewski. Wałęsa was certainly the star of the premiere, with the media spotlight focused on him as the hero of the movie. "It is important to point out that the premiere took place in special circumstances with the 70th edition of the festival falling on the 70th birthday of Lech Wałęsa. It is also significant, that Andrzej Wajda received a special award here, given to legends of international cinema for their lifetime achievements. It all made yesterday's premiere even more special" Bogdan Zdrojewski told the Polish Press Agency.

Lech Wałęsa talked a lot about the film but refrained from commenting on the character inspired by his life. "Lech Wałęsa told me yesterday that the hero of the film should keep some distance from the production based on his life" commented the Minister.

Andrzej Wajda both scripted and directed the film which follows the life of Lech Walesa over 20 years as leader of the 1980s Polish trade union Solidarity. Solidarity grew into a leading anti-communist protest movement that contributed to the downfall of communism in Poland. Walesa was eventually elected as Poland’s first post-communist president. The film was produced by Akson Studio in co-production with Telewizja Polska and Canal + and supported by the Polish Film Institute. Films Boutique recently acquired world rights for the film. Walesa, Man of Hope screens out of competition in Venice before moving on to also screen at the Toronto Film Festival.