When protests broke out in Communist Poland in late 1970, a crisis team gathered in Warsaw.

The film “1970” is a story about a rebellion but told from the perspective of the oppressors.

In 1970, protests broke out in several coastal cities in Communist Poland. Workers went on strikes to object to price increases. Growing numbers of protesters walked out onto the streets. As the situation became tense, a crisis team gathered in the capital. With the help of animations combined with telephone recordings, we can peek behind the closed doors of dignitaries’ offices. Hundreds of cigarettes are smoked. Conversations get cut off. Strategies to break up protesters and future repressions are planned. Propaganda activities are thought up. However, the protests get out of control. We can witness the fear, confusion, and brutality of the decision-makers. The militia makes use of their batons. Shots are fired and people die. Our film “1970” is a story about a rebellion but told from the perspective of the oppressors.

1970

Directed by: Tomasz Wolski
Animation: Robert Sowa
Production: Anna Gawlita - Kijora Film, Krakow Animation Center - Robert Sowa, Aneta Zagórska
Sound: Marcin Lenarczyk
Music: Bartłomiej Tyciński, DJ Lenar
Country: Poland
Year: 2021
Running time: 17 min.