VIOLATED LETTERS
Director Maciej Drygas
Countries Poland
Duration 56 min
Synopsis
During socialism, the pl state Security Service annually opened tens of millions of letters. Every day, specialist units steamed open, read and analysed people’s private letters. This helped the authorities compile reports about the moods prevailing in society. Occasionally the content would be used to launch investigations against individuals. The “Violated Letters” of the title are intimate portraits of life under socialism. Some express anguish and despair, while others shake an angry fist at the authorities. Still others are practical requests or pleas for help. Taken together, they construct a fascinating psychological picture of the pl nation in the years 1945-1989.
During socialism, the pl state Security Service annually opened tens of millions of letters. Every day, specialist units steamed open, read and analysed people’s private letters. This helped the authorities compile reports about the moods prevailing in society. Occasionally the content would be used to launch investigations against individuals. The “Violated Letters” of the title are intimate portraits of life under socialism. Some express anguish and despair, while others shake an angry fist at the authorities. Still others are practical requests or pleas for help. Taken together, they construct a fascinating psychological picture of the pl nation in the years 1945-1989.