Traces of Freedom Ideas in Polish Film Comedies of the 1980s

• In Event: Different Faces of Liberation in Polish Cinema: Between Politics, Religion, and Patriarchy

Abstract

The purpose of this study is the analysis of Polish ‘Cult Cinema’ film comedies of the 1980s in terms of freedom with regards to the aspirations and democratic values contained in them. As the pinnacle of communist popular culture, these works attracted huge audiences who were entertained by the ironic image of everyday life depicted on the big screen, perceiving in it the absurdities of life and evidence of breakdown of the totalitarian system. In addition to the entertainment factor, these comedies contained elements of social criticism (in what some regarded as a continuation of the formation of the ‘cinema of moral concern’) and hidden oppositional ideas, which will be considered further in detail. In terms of methodology, the communicative dimension of the film will be used. The planned analysis will answer the following questions (1) what strategies were used by filmmakers to bypass the institutions of political control (censorship)?, (2) what were the reception practices at the time of the films' release?, (3) what are they now? Thus far, the comedies of the 1980s have been analysed mainly in terms of their reception with reference to the historical time in which they were created. In this study, the intention is to take a critical approach and recognize how today's knowledge and cultural experiences modify this outlook. The analysis will use the concept of ‘Cult Cinema’ (Ernest Mathijs, Jamie Sexton, 2011) in sociological and textual terms, which will allow us not only to discover the sources of the cult status of films, but also to recognize their role in the context of viewing strategies related to nostalgia and retromania. The main hypothesis is based on the assumption that the analysed films are designed by their creators to generate specific viewing practices of viewers. Thus, they were once intended to raise awareness of social inequalities and divisions, abuse of power, promote the right to live freely outside oppression and the principles of social solidarity. Today, additionally, their message is to maintain the cultural memory of the communist era. The films of study are: Miś, directed by Stanisław Bareja (1980), Wyjście awaryjne, directed by Roman Załuski (1982), Seksmisja, (1983) and Kingsajz (1987), directed by Juliusz Machulski.

Author

• Ilona Małgorzata Copik, U of Silesia in Katowice (Poland)