Katyn poignantly depicts the catastrophic fate suffered by a generation, spotlighting the harrowing journey of four Polish families as World War II unfolds. The film recounts the struggles faced by many Polish soldiers—fathers, husbands, and brothers—who find themselves in the clutches of Soviet forces, subsequently falling victim to the brutal realities of Stalinism. Furthermore, it delves into the complex position of Poland during and after the war.
The narrative unfolds primarily through the eyes of the women—the mothers, wives, and daughters—of the men executed under Stalin's orders by the NKVD in 1940. Among the central characters is Andrzej, portrayed by Artur Zmijewski, a young captain in the Uhlan light cavalry regiment, who meticulously documents his experiences in a diary. Captured by the Soviet Army, Andrzej faces a cruel separation from his fellow soldiers, as enlisted men are permitted to return home while officers remain behind.
Before he is taken away to the USSR, his devoted wife Anna (Maja Ostaszewska) and their daughter Weronika ("Nika," played by Wiktoria Gsiewska) manage to find him. Offered a chance for escape, Andrzej steadfastly declines, adhering to his loyalty to the Polish military.
As the plot develops, Andrzej endures life in a prisoner of war camp, where he continues to write in his diary, accurately chronicling the names and fates of fellow officers taken from the camp. As winter settles in, he struggles with the harsh cold, receiving an extra sweater from his fellow prisoner Jerzy (Andrzej Chyra), who shows his kindness. Regrettably, it becomes Andrzej's turn to leave the camp while Jerzy stays behind.
The story then accelerates to the post-WWII era, where Anna and her daughter anxiously await news of Andrzej. They hear reports about the Katyn massacre that list numerous victims' names, yet Andrzej's name is regrettably absent, igniting a glimmer of hope in their hearts. Meanwhile, Jerzy, now a soldier in the newly established People's Army of Poland (LWP), retains a deep sense of loyalty to his comrades and the country, thus he visits Anna and her daughter with disturbing news: Andrzej was misidentified as Jerzy due to the sweater incident, leading to the devastating revelation that Andrzej was the one killed.
Amidst efforts by some determined individuals to unveil the truth behind the Soviet responsibility for the massacre, Andrzej's diary ultimately finds its way to Anna. This precious document reveals the critical date in 1940 when he was murdered, marking a pivotal point in attributing guilt. The closing moments of the film recreate portions of the tragic massacre, bringing forth a haunting yet important remembrance of this grave historical event.
