Eventful 1983: My quick take on a Polish Web series of Netflix “1983”
While I, like all fellow Indians was eagerly awaiting the release of Kabir khan’s “83” which is inordinately getting postponed due to lockdown issues, I stumbled upon this 1983 (no it is different than Bobby Deol’s “class of 1983”. I was pleasantly surprised to watch this 8-episode long binge-watch worthy of a polish political drama (Don’t worry it is beautifully dubbed in English as well).
The movie was quite a revelation for me, especially about Poland and its history. My knowledge about this important member of the Iron curtain was limited only to Lech Walesa winning a Noble Peace prize and later on becoming the first democratically elected President of the country. The plot is modeled upon George Orwell’s “Big Brother” book, a surveillance state wherein you are monitored 24x7, high-handed Gestapo-like Secret police, every citizen being monitored/tracked, the cloud of fear looming all around, and an underground movement (Brigade of Light) planning anti-state activities. The country is run by a “party”, which has few “Ministries” (like in George Orwell’s book 1984) & the secret service called SB acts like the “big brothers” eyes and ears.
The plot is set in 1983 and 2003 (it alternates between two timelines), it is shown that the cold war still existed in 1983 and the Iron curtain was still in place. The gray tone used by the cinematographer adds authenticity to the gloomy plot. The production quality of the series is awesome and so are the performances of various Polish actors (I am seeing them for the first time).
Though it is supposed to be a fictional plot, it gives you enough perspective on how the Polish life would have been during the peak of the Cold war as it was very strategically placed between the Soviets and NATO countries. We have seen such plots between state and anti-state players and how they end up, even this story is no different, but hats off to the director for keeping the intrigue alive for 8-episodes which makes it a binge-watch-worthy. (looks like a season 2 is also possible)
If you love political thrillers then don’t miss this series.
On a lighter note, looking at the AI used by various social platforms today it seems George Orwell’s Big Brother is closely watching all of us nowadays.
Just a word of caution, there is a bit of skin show in the series hence it is better to have an Iron curtain between you and kids while watching the series.
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