Screening of the Film 'Gods' on the 40th anniversary of Poland's first successful heart transplant
24.11.2025
On 17 November 2025 we hosted a screening of the Polish film "Gods,” commemorating the 40th anniversary of Prof. Zbigniew Religa's groundbreaking achievement - the first successful heart transplant in Poland.
The screening of ‘Gods’ directed by Łukasz Palkowski was a part of the celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of the historic operation performed in 1985 by the team led by Prof. Zbigniew Religa. Prof. Religa was an outstanding Polish cardiac surgeon, a pioneer of transplant medicine, and one of the key figures in the modern history of global medicine.
The movie portrays Prof. Religa’s path toward this landmark success – his determination, courage, struggles with the limitations of the medical system at the time, and his resolute belief that saving human lives is worth the greatest challenges. It illustrates not only the circumstances surrounding the historic surgery, but also the daily work of physicians, the development of cardiac surgery in Poland, and the personal dedication behind one of the most important medical achievements of the 20th century.
The screening took place at Alliance Française in Dar es Salaam. It gathered Tanzanian public from Dar es Salaam, as well as the members of diplomatic corps and of the Polish community. It was met with a very positive reception.
