How to overthrow a totalitarian regime through child's play, rock'n'roll, fashion, mountain climbing and... voodoo magic
Five chapters of a documentary guide to understanding the history, culture and character of Polish society today through various aspects of everyday life. Guide to the Poles welcomes viewers into a remarkable cinematic journey into the roots of the contemporary phenomenon of freedom and creativity in Poland. In spite of prevailing stereotypes, the socialist era in Poland was not just about oppression, poverty and subjection. It was just as much a time of attaining tenable freedoms in unexpected areas of life.
POLITICAL DRESS: When Polish people were cut off from fashionable clothing, they did everything to avoid looking dull and uniform, in spite of the fact that there was little money, materials or stylish shops.
POLITICAL DRESS: When Poles were getting crammed into stiff political and religious structures, they knew how to find spontaneous enjoyment in the more intimate realms of life. Sometimes with the help of a Haitian voodoo priest.
ART OF DISAPPEARING: When Poles weren't allowed access to passports or travel, a certain group of passionate mountain climbers overcame all obstacles and managed to conquer the highest peaks in the Himalayas. They were among the best in the world.
BEATS OF FREEDOM: When politics, family and religion didn't bring any hope to young Polish people, they found it in rock music - with a force that was as unanticipated as it was indomitable.
TOYS: When the youngest members of society had no toys to play with, they made their own with the help of a television host who shared his McGyveresque ability to create something interesting from virtually anything.
