Filmowcy w matni bezpieki (Film-makers in the Security Snare) highlights the plights of both figures who were behind the scenes as well as some of Poland's most acclaimed actors and directors, including Daniel Olbrychski, Andrzej Seweryn, Zbigniew Zapasiewicz and Jerzy Skolimowski.
“The people I write about generally weren't great opposition activists,” the author reflects in the opening of the book.
“They wanted to live somehow, realising their careers, fulfilling their private lives.”
In Filip Ganczak’s view, according to the authorities, the artists' crimes were that they signed letters defending beaten workers, went to receptions at foreign embassies, or took part in artistic events under the patronage of the Church.
Ganczak asserts that such activities were enough to prompt surveillance “on a gigantic scale,” including wire-taps, searches, and control of correspondence.
“I admire those who put their foot down, and refused to cooperate,” Filip Ganczak says of those who would not sign up when called into police stations.
Bans
Some figures, such as the actress and director Halina Mikolajska, paid dearly for their stance. Mikolajska was banned from performing on radio, television and in the theatre.
“The majority tried to dodge out of the situation, pleasing the functionary in some way, just to get out of the building so as to never come back for another meeting, or at the very least so as to be better prepared for the next encounter.”
The author highlights how blackmail was a favourite tool of the security services.
According to the book, actor Daniel Olbrychski refused to blab, even though officials threatened to release information that “would not appeal to his wife,” as one transcript recorded.
Actor Maciej Damiecki was caught drunk behind the wheel of a car, and under threat, agreed to cooperate with the secret police.
"In a way, I understand those who gave in,” the author says, citing cameraman Jerzy Lipman, who had already been sentenced to death in prison and was then offered the chance to cooperate. Likewise the actor Maciej Damiecki, who was blackmailed with the threat of dismissal from the theatre and the loss of his television programme.
“I understand, on a human level, but I do not share the opinion that you should not poke around in the files,” Filip Ganczak adds, alluding to the long-running controversy about whether it was fair to ‘out’ those figures whose names appear in the security files.
“Undercover collaborators were in many instances very little known people... a translator, an official from the film industry, a diplomat...who today no one outside of the circle can remember.
“But sometimes, such people could be very harmful, and they were very useful to the security services.” (nh/pg)