A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF THE COUNTRY

“A Year in the Life of the Country” dir. Tomasz Wolski Documentary Year of production: 2024, 89 minutes

“A Year in the Life of the Country” (directed by Tomasz Wolski, 2024) is a unique documentary made exclusively from archival materials, showing Poland in one of the most dramatic periods of its recent history. The starting point is the introduction of martial law on December 13, 1981, but the film goes far beyond the mere story of repression and politics. Tomasz Wolski takes viewers to the everyday life of the early 1980s — the world of empty store shelves, food cards, endless queues and the reality shaped by propaganda. In the archival recordings we find both dramatic events related to the state of war, as well as the ordinary life of Poles trying to find themselves in the new reality. The film shows the complexity of the social moods of that time, juxtaposing the official message of the authorities with the voices of ordinary citizens. In addition to the protests, internment and underground activities of Solidarity, we see the daily worries, the absurdities of the system and people trying to function normally despite the presence of the military on the streets and the restriction of fundamental freedoms. “A Year in the Life of the Country” is not only a story about the state of war, but also an extremely suggestive portrait of a society facing a historical breakthrough. Thanks to masterful editing and the use of unique archival materials, the film allows us to look at that period from a new perspective and better understand the atmosphere of Poland in the early 1980s. After the screening, we invite you to a meeting with Jan Piec — an activist of the anti-communist opposition and member of the NSZZ “Solidarność”, who during the martial law conducted opposition activities in the Predom-Wrocław area Polar. In 2024, he was recognized by the Office for Veterans and Repressed Persons as an anti-communist opposition activist. The meeting will be an opportunity to talk about the everyday state of war and the experiences of the people who co-created Solidarity in the 1980s. Admission is free. Tickets are now available at the box office of the Rialto Cinema. The number of seats is limited, so we encourage you to pick them up in advance. The remaining pool of tickets will also be available on the day of the event. “A Year in the Life of the Country” will be presented as part of the 3rd Poznań Film Review, which will take place on October 11, 2026 at the Rialto Cinema in Poznań.