Interrogation

Tonia (Krystyna Janda), a cabaret singer, is imprisoned without explanation. Days become months, varied only by the persuasion, intimidation and torture of relentless interrogations. Janda’s outstanding depiction of a woman who finds strength and heroism in the face of torture and internment, takes you to places few films are willing to explore. Based on true events, and reflecting the Stalinist terror of the early 1950s, Ryszard Bugajski’s harrowing film was banned under martial law in Poland, but survived and thrived on underground VHS through a copy smuggled out by the director at great personal risk. Interrogation was finally officially released in 1990 to great international acclaim. (Second Run)