Alternatywy 4

I was introduced to this superb social comedy via my polish friend. 'Alternatywy 4' is so succinctly observed and superbly written and acted, that despite not knowing the language and having had minimal translation of the text, I enjoy this more each time I've watched it.

To understand the political context of communist-era Poland is to enter into the richly comic ironies which are at the core of the writing: the gross corruption and hypocrisy of local politicians and petty officials, the empire-building by the hangers-on to the former, the chicanery, scams, and ruses (the latter perpetrated by the populace -in typical polish tradition- to improve what was, after all, a dismal lot) to confound officialdom, and the sketching of a certain mindset which flourished or was likely created by the era: an 'old-fashioned communist' brusque arrogance and patent unhelpfulness as exists to this day in many Czech and Polish establishments such as shops and kiosks,restaurants, rail ticket counters, post offices...you get the picture.

I just have to add that the sublime comedy and character acting is every bit the equal of the writing. 'Alternatywy 4' would be almost worth learning the idiosyncratic and difficult polish language for.