Saturday, June 7-------The Troia International Film Festival (Festroia), known as the "Cannes of Portugal" opened last evening with a Gala Screening of the Oscar nominated Polish film KATYN. The film, directed by European screen legend Andrezj Wajda, is a dramatic recreation of the one of the great human crimes of the Second World War.....the mass slaughter of Polish army officers by the Russians in the beginning days of the conflict. Wajda brings his customary sweep mixed with intimacy to the heartfelt drama that was nominated this year for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Aside from launching the 10 day long festival, KATYN opens a special program of new Polish cinema that will be featured throughout the next week.

For a complete list of the films and events at this year's Troia International Film Festival, log on to the Festival's website: www.festroia.pt

Sandy Mandelberger, Festroia Dailies Editor