Poland’s Oscar committee has chosen “80 Million” as its entry in the best foreign language film category for the 2013 Academy Awards. The film, based on actual events, is set in 1981 during communist-era Poland and follows how members of the Solidarity trade union attempted to secure zł.80 million of the organization’s funds before they were frozen by authorities when martial law was announced.

The film, which is set in the southwestern city of Wrocław, details the activists’ race against time to withdraw the money, which subsequently helped to finance Solidarity’s fight against communism, before the country’s then-leader General Wojciech Jaruzelski launched a major crackdown.

The film, which is directed by Waldemar Krzystek, is now in contention to make the final Oscar nominations. Those will be announced on January 15, 2013.

Last year, Poland’s “In Darkness,” another film based on actual historical events (it is set during World War II), was one of five films nominated for the best foreign language film award. It ultimately lost out to Iran’s “A Separation.”