This film, which is based on the true events during the strikes in the shipyards of Dantzig, deserves praise because of its credibility. For although I am not really familiar with the founding of the Solidarinosc trade union, I do know the living conditions in the former Bolshevist countries, and I recognize them in the film. The narrative seems actually quite objective, and she can certainly not be interpreted as a vicious attack on another ideology. It might well be, that the film makers experience some sympathy with the former regime. The film portrays the arrogant behavior of the party officials, but on the other hand it does not deny their good intentions. In order to support my opinion, let us follow the event line of the film. At the start (the sixties, I guess) we are introduced to Agnieszka Kowalska, a straightforward and able worker in the Dantzig dockyard. In the first moments of the film her social background and character are deepened. Kowalska is an unmarried mother, with a boy from a short romance with an organizer of the official trade union. Surprinsingly, she is also a dedicated catholic. Eventually she really falls in love with another man, and marries him. However, their luck is not lasting, since the man dies of a heart attack (he had forgotten his pills!). Agnieszka advances professionally, and becomes a crane driver. Several times she is rewarded with the price of heroine of labor, and even gets a television set in return for her dedication. Basically her life appears to be a fulfilled, she is free of worries and stress. There are complaints about the pace of working, but I am pretty certain it yields to the western exploitation. For the workers in the Bolshevist countries actually enjoyed a generous autonomy. Nevertheless, an explosion occurs at work, leading to the demise of many workers. The workers put the blame on the safety conditions, and thus on the management policy. This I can understand, but was their accusation justified? Usually the state factories had installed workers committees in order to control the safety regulations. Perhaps it was simply the lack of sufficient investment capital? Anyway, the tensions among the workers keep on rising. This is exacerbated by the policy of the Gomulka regime, who guided all of their investment funds into the heavy industry (coal, steel) and forgot the consumer markets. The underlying idea is that you invest first and later pick the fruits. It is understandable, that the workers were averse to delayed consumption, and they revolt. This happens around 1970, and the Gomulka regime, paranoid as ever, used violent means to beat down the resistance. During the riots Kowalska has been arrested, and beaten up by the secret service (anyway, they do not use water-boarding). It is not surprising, that from now on Kowalska distances herself from the regime (and she had never been a party member). She joins a group of dissidents, who have regular meetings. Instances such as these always create great agony within the party, who justifies its existence through the contentment of the workers. Gomulka was deposed, and the more reasonable Jaruzelski came into power. Then, around 1980 once more the protests flare up. The new regime has learned its lesson, reacts in a moderate way, and eventually the free trade union Solidarinosc is founded, with sections on all the dockyards. This is the story, and there is nothing strange about it. It could actually have happened here in the Netherlands, or in the United States. What separates us from the Bolshevist state is a tiny flake of extra energy, and a little bit more freedom. For instance, it is dubious whether the present life in Poland is really that much better. However, now people are allowed to organize themselves, to distribute leaflets, or to leave the country (which they do, in large numbers). This takes just enough steam of the kettle to stabilize society. In conclusion, Straik breathes realism, which creates room for feelings of identification and empathy. A truly enlightening film, worthy of recommendation. If you appreciate this type of film, you can also consider the Polish films "Man of iron" of (slightly more difficult) "Man of marble". Or have a look at my other reviews.
