Interrogation [1982] [DVD] [1990]

Tonia's story is a harrowing one. Real or imaginary doesn't matter: the story has sufficient power to make the viewer cringe several times during the performance.

Tonia is a bubble-headed actress when we first meet her; little more than a self-obsessed good-time girl. She falls into a nightmarish prison landscape worthy of Kafka by way of a simple night out to spite her husband for an imagined slight and things get worse from there.

Initially her defiance of the system seems to stem from her inability to understand her predicament; later it becomes apparent that she is made of sterner stuff than almost all around her -- including her sadistic interrrogators.

It is this core of steel which makes her such an interesting character; and the film's exploration of her simple defiance is well-handled: punchy camera shots, harsh lighting; gradual physical deterioration of Tonia's appearance.

The subtitles are well done -- not intrusive or gratingly translated. The denouement is heart-wrenching without being sentimental.

The astonishing thing is how this film slipped through the censor's net in 1982 -- even if they were preoccupied with Solidarnosc and martial law. The bonus material gives some insight into this.

Worth a couple of hours of anyone's time.

Interrogation (Przesluchanie) is an amazing drama about the Stalinist terror imposed in Poland in the 1950s. Tonia (Krystyna Janda) is a cabaret singer who becomes the target of the secret police. I like how the film doesn't waste any time; Tonia is quickly abducted and imprisoned within minutes from the start of the movie. Tonia isn't sure why she is imprisoned and we are left in just as much suspense as a clear answer to this question doesn't come quickly.

Tonia is asked personal question but they are particularly interested in her past lovers. She is a bit stubborn and a free spirit, which doesn't help her as their goal is to break her. The interrogators try to wear her out but she still remains strong despite their many efforts to break her spirit. I got the sense that the prison was a place where time stands still. The inmates there have no idea what time it is or how much time has passed. This sense of timelessness only increases their awareness of their pains.

Several scenes of the movie are brutal and we are not spared a good and close look at it. The prison guards treat the inmates like animals. Unquestionably, Przesluchanie could be considered a very emotional film as it shows a lot of screaming and raw violence. One cannot escape the comparison of the treatment Tonia received to the harsh treatment that made the Nazis infamous as it is mentioned several times. Although not stated, we quickly see that her prison interrogators are probably no better.

In my opinion, Interrogation holds a very special and important place in Polish cinema. The story is terrifying yet realistic. The acting is flawless and the story is captivating. It exposes oppression from over half a century ago but the same thing could (and perhaps does) happen today.

This film changed Polish thoughts and perceptions and the very law itself after it's release. It caused such a deep reaction for the people that the real secret police had to fundamentally change their ways.

Based on 'true' events for the soviet era - the story centres around the abduction and torture, to obtain a confession, of the wife of an army major the police were trying to 'disappear'.

This is a haunting and dark comment on the power of the establishment and relates very well to what the U.S. government is doing with extraordinary rendition, that it is must for people who want to understand how we aren't far from this type of conduct - in secret - now.

Strongly recommend this for the cinematic techniques and the fantastic acting. Polish film at its very best.