Polski bard na zgniłym Zachodzie — o "Epizodzie Berlin West" Mieczysława Waśkowskiego

Abstract

THE WRITER IN THE SERVICE OF PROPAGANDA — ON MIECZYSŁAW WAOEKOWSKI’S EPIZOD BERLIN WEST

Epizod Berlin West was produced between 1984–1986 in Bohdan Poręba’s “Profil” studio which operated on behalf of the authorities. In the 80s, when a large number of Poles inhabited West Berlin and the Polish cultural life was developing, Mieczysław Waśkowski’s film was supposed to present the authors’ inability to express themselves in foreign countries, especially in the rotten, corrupted, and capitalistic Berlin. The article reconstructs the context of the production of this propaganda, as well as the discussions around it, first during its pre-release screening, and later in the press reviews. From the contemporary point of view this context appears even more interesting than the film itself, especially in the light of the socio-political situation: in 1985 perestroika was initiated, and four years later communism collapsed.

Translated by Andrzej Dębski