"Sokovia Accords": Global Regulation and its Cinematic Consequences
In the film Captain America: Civil War, the conflict revolves around a document adopted by the UN and regulating superhero operations. Its goal is to limit collateral damage and establish international oversight following a series of catastrophic events, from the infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D. to the threat posed by artificial intelligence and the devastating loss of civilian lives.
The regulation divides the heroes: Tony Stark sees it as an opportunity to reduce civilian casualties, while Steve Rogers warns against politicising the Avengers and reducing their effectiveness. It is a fictional dispute over mandate, responsibility and control.
Dr Stępień points out that the viewer doesn't get the full text of the act – "we only see what the plot requires." Furthermore, later MCU productions mention that the Sokovia Accords were abolished, without explaining the procedure or manner of this decision – an interesting but overlooked aspect from a legal perspective.
“Superhuman Registration Act”: the American Original and the Identity Controversy
The comic book Superhero Registration Act – rooted solely in US law – is born after a tragic action by young heroes. Public debate escalates into a Congressional resolution and the president's signature. The consequences of this regulation fuel the plot for years to come, and the dispute tears the superhero community apart.
The key problem with the comic book solution is the requirement to register under a real name, which undermines the institution of secret identity and the safety of loved ones. This very element, absent from the MCU, makes the conflict more multidimensional and legally dense.
Pop Culture as a Mirror of Actual Debates
Dr Stępień's analysis shows that both narratives – the film and the comic book – process real fears and tensions: the need for control after traumatic events, the dispute over the scope of executive and legislative power, and the question of how far one can go in the name of security.
This lecture is an invitation to take part in a serious conversation about what fiction says about law – and how law shapes our imaginations of responsibility, freedom and state surveillance. Soon, there will be an opportunity to hear it live again. As part of the Lem Festival 2025, Dr Jakub Stępień will deliver a lecture, "Kto pilnuje pilnujących? O stosunku superbohaterów do prawa i prawa do superbohaterów" [Who Watches the Watchers? On the Relationship of Superheroes to the Law and Law to Superheroes].
- 8 October 2025 at 3:00 p.m.
- Youth Stage – Odeon Cinema Hall, EC1 Lodz (Targowa 1/3)
The Lem Festival is a unique blend of science, art and pop culture. As the University of Lodz, we are proud to co-create this unique event that promotes knowledge. We strongly encourage you to explore the programme, which is full of inspiring conversations, meetings and expert panels, and to join the event.
Dr Jakub Stępień is a constitutional scholar and a lecturer at the University of Lodz, employed in the Department of Constitutional Law. A 2017 graduate of the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Lodz. He defended his doctoral dissertation in 2023, entitled "Relations between the State and the Catholic Church in the Constitutional Order of the Third Polish Republic." His research focuses on analysing relationship between the state and religious communities in Poland, religious law, and freedom of conscience and religion. He is particularly interested in the practical application of these issues in light of legal regulations and constitutional principles, as well as their impact on the dynamics of public life. His personal interests include universal and Church history, literature, cinema and pop culture.
Edit: Małgorzata Jasińska and Michał Gruda (Centre for External Relations and Social Responsibility of the University, University of Lodz)
