You can not speak about the phenomenon of Polish freedom without mentioning the free culture, and rock was its important and the most popular part. A documentary film „Beats of Freedom” shows the phenomenon of Polish rock, especially in the 80s, against the background of the Polish People's Republic’s reality. The Institute of National Remembrance joined the socio-educational campaign of promoting the film, in which also the IPN's archive materials were used.
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„Beats of Freedom” is a thrilling film about the birth of rock music in Poland. Vivid memories of cult musicians and their surprising confessions make that film unforgettable. Let yourself go with a sharp sound and fascinating, uncensored stories. Just open your eyes and listen how Polish rock created history. At the time when life in Poland was controlled by the regime, music became a phenomenon having enormous influence on people. The "Iron Curtain" was not able to stop rock and young people, who through this music, found their space of freedom. From the beginning Polish rock was against communist reality. Songs crushed stereotypes and formed bonds between people. Jarocin festival became a special enclave of freedom. It is vividly depicted in the film, thanks to the archival materials shown in here for the first time.
Many Polish artists appear in „Beats of Freedom”, including: Kazik Staszewski (Kult), Muniek Staszczyk (T.Love), Kora Jackowska (Maanam), Tomek Lipiński (Tilt and Brygada Kryzys), Krzysztof Grabowski (Dezerter).
„Rock was one of the most important factors that shaped me, and now it has become a vital part of my life. Through this film I wanted to pay tribute to people who have influenced my world perception and I wanted to remind the future generation, what once this music was and what – I hope – it can be in the future” – says the film’s director Leszek Gnoiński. „Beats of Freedom” is a film which kicks your boots off. This unforgettable, musical journey in time, became possible owing to preserved unique and often shocking recordings from the last 50 years.
„That reality gave music incredible strength, but when the Martial Law was introduced, I was only 10 years old and do not necessarily understood the meanings of lyrics. However, my music fascination from the 80s strongly influenced upon what I do today, and it is worth to tell stories about what is important to us ”- says Wojciech Słota, the film’s director.
The film was produced by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute and TVN television. In November 2009 it received a special award at the Polish Film Festival in America, which takes place annually in Chicago. „Beats of Freedom” was directed by Wojciech Słota and Leszek Gnoiński.
Many people have a history, some have a legend. The film shows the latter. Rock is as much a part of culture as any kind of great music, like poetry, film or comic books. You can not describe the phenomenon of Polish freedom without telling the story of a free culture, and rock was its important and the most popular part. Some printed underground press and threw leaflets, others whittled guitars and made amplifiers. All of them are now a part of a history.
Paweł Potoroczyn, Adam Mickiewicz Institute