Ben Lewis’ new film of that name is showing at the Trebica Film Festival in New York at the end of April. (Photo: see comment below)
Lewis writes a good (long) essay about the movie in this month’s UK Prospect magazine. He looks at what function jokes played under communist regimes. It’s not just about resistance, apparently.
Jokes, in deepest commie days, were seen as dangerous by paranoids like Joe Stalin.
Levis writes:
‘Historian Roy Medvedev looked through the files of Stalin's political prisoners and concluded that 200,000 people were imprisoned for telling jokes, such as this: Three prisoners in the gulag get to talking about why they are there. "I am here because I always got to work five minutes late, and they charged me with sabotage," says the first. "I am here because I kept getting to work five minutes early, and they charged me with spying," says the second. "I am here because I got to work on time every day," says the third, "and they charged me with owning a western watch." ’
Which reminds me of a joke Poles used to tell about the militia (government sponsored thugs) in the late 1970’s.
Man comes up to very stupid looking young guy from the militia. “Excuse me Sir, but have you got the time?”
Militia thug peers at his brand new digital watch. He goes on staring at the watch for about half a minute, his forehead creased in concentration, his lips moving silently all the while.
Finally the man gets fed up waiting. “Is there something wrong with your watch?” he asks.
“No, no,” says the militia, “I‘m just having a bit of trouble dividing 7:24.”
Boom, boom!
That’s the thing about communist jokes – they just ain’t that funny. Which is surprising when you think how utterly ridiculous, sidesplittingly hilarious the communist authorities’ economic ‘policies’ were.
Maybe that’s it: the jokes were the serious antidote to the very funny horror of reality.
29 comments:
Why do Zomoes always travel in threes?
One can read, one can write and the other can guard the two dangerous intellectuals.
Thank you, I'll be here all week.
That's a good one! Are we getting closer to the ultimate funny Polish joke?
The photo depicts Brezhnev and HONECKER: the East German First Secretary! Fatal error, Mr Journalist! The face is easily recognizable, even the caption below is in German (and Russian)!
O crumns! My cover is blown! The shame!
You are right, of course. I tell you how it happened. Put 'Jarozelski'in Goggle image and on the sevemth page you will see that photo.
But many thanks for your correction and I will be forever grateful.
I won't say anything about ice picks.
A joke circa 1981.
Reagan and Brezhnev have died and have been cryptogenically frozen. 200 years later, they are brought back to life.
Brezhnev reads a newspaper and laughs. "Why are you laughing?" asks Reagan. "The United States is now a Communist country" Brezhnev explains.
Reagan picks a newspaper and laughs even harder. "Why are YOU laughing?" asks Brezhnev. Reagan explains: "Everything is quiet on the border between Poland and China"...
Btw, you are not completely wrong by describing the militia as "government sponsored thugs", but you should have explained that under the Communists, Militia (Milicja) was the name of the Police (Policja)...
You are right, Sonia. But Poles are always careful to call them Milicja Obywatelska (citizens militia) during communist times and not police - which is why I avoided the word.
LMAO.
Er....sorry?
Im Vertrauen gesagt ist meiner Meinung danach offenbar. Versuchen Sie, die Antwort auf Ihre Frage in google.com zu suchen cialis kaufen online cialis kaufen schweiz [url=http//t7-isis.org]cialis online rezeptfrei[/url]
Good day
[url=http://bheqmuf.quests.eu/62/index.html]battle vixens anime 304[/url]
[url=http://biljuiu.wieder-laden.de/32/map.html]adult funny costume w[/url]
[url=http://biljuiu.wieder-laden.de/72/index.html]anal extreme ebony p[/url]
[url=http://biuassw.xpf.de/53/index.html]adult free local Z[/url]
[url=http://bhvetmt.beeinflusst.de/50/index.html]anime buzzer beater H[/url]
[url=http://bhvetmt.beeinflusst.de/47/index.html]vixens anime battle x[/url]
[url=http://biuassw.xpf.de/36/index.html]female yank masturbation l[/url]
See you soon
Hallo everybody!
[url=http://ceywokc.hot.lc/67/index.html]gas reward best n[/url]
[url=http://atarax.rack111.com/clomid/33/index.html]buy antivert generic v[/url]
[url=http://enhancements.rack111.com/31/map.html]breast enlargement program map 184[/url]
[url=http://corjogo.xn--nht-qla.de/76/map.html]credit fort knox map X[/url]
[url=http://cesdors.seite.st/58/map.html]credit credit bad map a[/url]
[url=http://atarax.rack111.com/clomid/62/map.html]60 buy zebeta map H[/url]
[url=http://cgeluio.nahezu.de/67/index.html]credit rating check f[/url]
We will not miss you
test_jlkkk
COURTNEY COX NUDE
[url=http://profiles.friendster.com/120698425]COURTNEY COX NUDE[/url]
COURTNEY COX NUDE
[url= http://profiles.friendster.com/120698425 ] COURTNEY COX NUDE [/url]
CINDY CRAWFORD NUDE
[url=http://profiles.friendster.com/120698467]CINDY CRAWFORD NUDE[/url]
CINDY CRAWFORD NUDE
[url= http://profiles.friendster.com/120698467 ] CINDY CRAWFORD NUDE [/url]
AMY SMART NUDE
[url=http://profiles.friendster.com/120698522]AMY SMART NUDE[/url]
AMY SMART NUDE
[url= http://profiles.friendster.com/120698522 ] AMY SMART NUDE [/url]
SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR NUDE
[url=http://profiles.friendster.com/120698555]SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR NUDE[/url]
SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR NUDE
[url= http://profiles.friendster.com/120698555 ] SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR NUDE [/url]
AMANDA BEARD NUDE
[url=http://profiles.friendster.com/120698638]AMANDA BEARD NUDE[/url]
AMANDA BEARD NUDE
[url= http://profiles.friendster.com/120698638 ] AMANDA BEARD NUDE [/url]
MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/KARYN3.aspx]MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ NUDE[/url]
MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/KARYN3.aspx ] MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ NUDE [/url]
GISELE BUNDCHEN NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/KASANDRA3.aspx]GISELE BUNDCHEN NUDE[/url]
GISELE BUNDCHEN NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/KASANDRA3.aspx ] GISELE BUNDCHEN NUDE [/url]
MARY LOUISE PARKER NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/KASHA7.aspx]MARY LOUISE PARKER NUDE[/url]
MARY LOUISE PARKER NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/KASHA7.aspx ] MARY LOUISE PARKER NUDE [/url]
PATRICIA HEATON NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/KASIE2.aspx]PATRICIA HEATON NUDE[/url]
PATRICIA HEATON NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/KASIE2.aspx ] PATRICIA HEATON NUDE [/url]
JULIA ROBERTS NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/KASSIE3.aspx]JULIA ROBERTS NUDE[/url]
JULIA ROBERTS NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/KASSIE3.aspx ] JULIA ROBERTS NUDE [/url]
ASHLEE SIMPSON NUDE
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58029]ASHLEE SIMPSON NUDE[/url]
ASHLEE SIMPSON NUDE
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58029 ] ASHLEE SIMPSON NUDE [/url]
TARA REID NUDE
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58031]TARA REID NUDE[/url]
TARA REID NUDE
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58031 ] TARA REID NUDE [/url]
ROSARIO DAWSON NUDE
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58033]ROSARIO DAWSON NUDE[/url]
ROSARIO DAWSON NUDE
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58033 ] ROSARIO DAWSON NUDE [/url]
MICHELLE WILLIAMS NUDE
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58035]MICHELLE WILLIAMS NUDE[/url]
MICHELLE WILLIAMS NUDE
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58035 ] MICHELLE WILLIAMS NUDE [/url]
DREW BARRYMORE NUDE
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58037]DREW BARRYMORE NUDE[/url]
DREW BARRYMORE NUDE
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58037 ] DREW BARRYMORE NUDE [/url]
ASHANTI UNCENSORED
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58051]ASHANTI UNCENSORED[/url]
ASHANTI UNCENSORED
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58051 ] ASHANTI UNCENSORED [/url]
MEGAN HAUSERMAN NUDE
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58053]MEGAN HAUSERMAN NUDE[/url]
MEGAN HAUSERMAN NUDE
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58053 ] MEGAN HAUSERMAN NUDE [/url]
AMANDA BEARD NUDE
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58055]AMANDA BEARD NUDE[/url]
AMANDA BEARD NUDE
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58055 ] AMANDA BEARD NUDE [/url]
NINEL CONDE DESNUDA
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58057]NINEL CONDE DESNUDA[/url]
NINEL CONDE DESNUDA
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58057 ] NINEL CONDE DESNUDA [/url]
MODELOS LATINAS DESNUDAS
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58059]MODELOS LATINAS DESNUDAS[/url]
MODELOS LATINAS DESNUDAS
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58059 ] MODELOS LATINAS DESNUDAS [/url]
JESSICA RABBIT ADULT
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58333]JESSICA RABBIT ADULT[/url]
JESSICA RABBIT ADULT
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58333 ] JESSICA RABBIT ADULT [/url]
NATALIE PORTMAN SUNBATHING
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58337]NATALIE PORTMAN SUNBATHING[/url]
NATALIE PORTMAN SUNBATHING
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58337 ] NATALIE PORTMAN SUNBATHING [/url]
COLEGIALAS DESNUDAS
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58339]COLEGIALAS DESNUDAS[/url]
COLEGIALAS DESNUDAS
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58339 ] COLEGIALAS DESNUDAS [/url]
RIHANNA NIPPLE SLIP
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58341]RIHANNA NIPPLE SLIP[/url]
RIHANNA NIPPLE SLIP
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58341 ] RIHANNA NIPPLE SLIP [/url]
LIZ VEGA DESNUDA
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58347]LIZ VEGA DESNUDA[/url]
LIZ VEGA DESNUDA
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58347 ] LIZ VEGA DESNUDA [/url]
FAMOSAS MEXICANAS DESNUDAS
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58529]FAMOSAS MEXICANAS DESNUDAS[/url]
FAMOSAS MEXICANAS DESNUDAS
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58529 ] FAMOSAS MEXICANAS DESNUDAS [/url]
LINDSAY LOHAN CLEAVAGE
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58531]LINDSAY LOHAN CLEAVAGE[/url]
LINDSAY LOHAN CLEAVAGE
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58531 ] LINDSAY LOHAN CLEAVAGE [/url]
NENAS DESNUDAS
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58533]NENAS DESNUDAS[/url]
NENAS DESNUDAS
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58533 ] NENAS DESNUDAS [/url]
GLORIA TREVI DESNUDA
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58535]GLORIA TREVI DESNUDA[/url]
GLORIA TREVI DESNUDA
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58535 ] GLORIA TREVI DESNUDA [/url]
SOFIA VERGARA DESNUDA
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58539]SOFIA VERGARA DESNUDA[/url]
SOFIA VERGARA DESNUDA
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58539 ] SOFIA VERGARA DESNUDA [/url]
LEIGHTON MEESTER NUDE
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58591]LEIGHTON MEESTER NUDE[/url]
LEIGHTON MEESTER NUDE
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58591 ] LEIGHTON MEESTER NUDE [/url]
KATE BOSWORTH NUDE
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58593]KATE BOSWORTH NUDE[/url]
KATE BOSWORTH NUDE
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58593 ] KATE BOSWORTH NUDE [/url]
AISHWARYA RAI BIKINI
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58595]AISHWARYA RAI BIKINI[/url]
AISHWARYA RAI BIKINI
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58595 ] AISHWARYA RAI BIKINI [/url]
RAVEN SYMONE BREAST
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58597]RAVEN SYMONE BREAST[/url]
RAVEN SYMONE BREAST
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58597 ] RAVEN SYMONE BREAST [/url]
ELISHA CUTHBERT NAKED
[url=http://www.projectopus.com/user/58599]ELISHA CUTHBERT NAKED[/url]
ELISHA CUTHBERT NAKED
[url= http://www.projectopus.com/user/58599 ] ELISHA CUTHBERT NAKED [/url]
EMMA WATSON PUSSY
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LEANDRA3.aspx]EMMA WATSON PUSSY[/url]
EMMA WATSON PUSSY
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LEANDRA3.aspx ] EMMA WATSON PUSSY [/url]
CELEBRITY SEE THRU
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LEATRICE3.aspx]CELEBRITY SEE THRU[/url]
CELEBRITY SEE THRU
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LEATRICE3.aspx ] CELEBRITY SEE THRU [/url]
MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LEEANN5.aspx]MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL NUDE[/url]
MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LEEANN5.aspx ] MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL NUDE [/url]
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE NAKED
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LEIGH6.aspx]JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE NAKED[/url]
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE NAKED
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LEIGH6.aspx ] JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE NAKED [/url]
PARIS HILTON JPG
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LEIGHANN4.aspx]PARIS HILTON JPG [/url]
PARIS HILTON JPG
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LEIGHANN4.aspx ] PARIS HILTON JPG [/url]
MEG RYAN NUDE
[url=http://videoexclg41.vidiLife.com]MEG RYAN NUDE[/url]
MEG RYAN NUDE
[url= http://videoexclg41.vidiLife.com ] MEG RYAN NUDE [/url]
RAVEN RILEY SEX
[url=http://videoexclg42.vidiLife.com]RAVEN RILEY SEX[/url]
RAVEN RILEY SEX
[url= http://videoexclg42.vidiLife.com ] RAVEN RILEY SEX [/url]
PARIS HILTON BLOW JOB
[url=http://videoexclg43.vidiLife.com]PARIS HILTON BLOW JOB[/url]
PARIS HILTON BLOW JOB
[url= http://videoexclg43.vidiLife.com ] PARIS HILTON BLOW JOB [/url]
ANNA FARIS NUDE
[url=http://videoexclg44.vidiLife.com]ANNA FARIS NUDE[/url]
ANNA FARIS NUDE
[url= http://videoexclg44.vidiLife.com ] ANNA FARIS NUDE [/url]
MARISA TOMEI NUDE
[url=http://videoexclg45.vidiLife.com]MARISA TOMEI NUDE[/url]
MARISA TOMEI NUDE
[url= http://videoexclg45.vidiLife.com ] MARISA TOMEI NUDE [/url]
SHAKIRA NUDE
[url=http://videoexclg86.vidiLife.com]SHAKIRA NUDE[/url]
SHAKIRA NUDE
[url= http://videoexclg86.vidiLife.com ] SHAKIRA NUDE [/url]
ROSE MCGOWAN NUDE
[url=http://videoexclg87.vidiLife.com]ROSE MCGOWAN NUDE[/url]
ROSE MCGOWAN NUDE
[url= http://videoexclg87.vidiLife.com ] ROSE MCGOWAN NUDE [/url]
HALLE BERRY NAKED
[url=http://videoexclg88.vidiLife.com]HALLE BERRY NAKED[/url]
HALLE BERRY NAKED
[url= http://videoexclg88.vidiLife.com ] HALLE BERRY NAKED [/url]
KARI BYRON NUDE
[url=http://videoexclg89.vidiLife.com]KARI BYRON NUDE[/url]
KARI BYRON NUDE
[url= http://videoexclg89.vidiLife.com ] KARI BYRON NUDE [/url]
EMMA WATSON PORN
[url=http://videoexclg90.vidiLife.com]EMMA WATSON PORN[/url]
EMMA WATSON PORN
[url= http://videoexclg90.vidiLife.com ] EMMA WATSON PORN [/url]
NATALIE IMBRUGLIA NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LILLIAM1.aspx]NATALIE IMBRUGLIA NUDE[/url]
NATALIE IMBRUGLIA NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LILLIAM1.aspx ] NATALIE IMBRUGLIA NUDE [/url]
STEPHANIE SEYMOUR NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LILLIANA1.aspx]STEPHANIE SEYMOUR NUDE[/url]
STEPHANIE SEYMOUR NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LILLIANA1.aspx ] STEPHANIE SEYMOUR NUDE [/url]
HELENA CHRISTENSEN NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LINDSEY4.aspx]HELENA CHRISTENSEN NUDE[/url]
HELENA CHRISTENSEN NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LINDSEY4.aspx ] HELENA CHRISTENSEN NUDE [/url]
BIJOU PHILLIPS NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LINETTE6.aspx]BIJOU PHILLIPS NUDE[/url]
BIJOU PHILLIPS NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LINETTE6.aspx ] BIJOU PHILLIPS NUDE [/url]
MACKENZIE ROSMAN NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LINNEA2.aspx]MACKENZIE ROSMAN NUDE[/url]
MACKENZIE ROSMAN NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LINNEA2.aspx ] MACKENZIE ROSMAN NUDE [/url]
TONI BRAXTON NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LISABETH.aspx]TONI BRAXTON NUDE[/url]
TONI BRAXTON NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LISABETH.aspx ] TONI BRAXTON NUDE [/url]
ZOE KRAVITZ NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LISANDRA1.aspx]ZOE KRAVITZ NUDE[/url]
ZOE KRAVITZ NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LISANDRA1.aspx ] ZOE KRAVITZ NUDE [/url]
GINA GERSHON NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LISETTE1.aspx]GINA GERSHON NUDE[/url]
GINA GERSHON NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LISETTE1.aspx ] GINA GERSHON NUDE [/url]
ABBIE CORNISH NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LISSETTE2.aspx]ABBIE CORNISH NUDE[/url]
ABBIE CORNISH NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LISSETTE2.aspx ] ABBIE CORNISH NUDE [/url]
PENNY LANCASTER NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LIZZETTE.aspx]PENNY LANCASTER NUDE[/url]
PENNY LANCASTER NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LIZZETTE.aspx ] PENNY LANCASTER NUDE [/url]
BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LIZZIE1.aspx]BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD NUDE[/url]
BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LIZZIE1.aspx ] BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD NUDE [/url]
DAISY FUENTES NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LONNIE2.aspx]DAISY FUENTES NUDE[/url]
DAISY FUENTES NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LONNIE2.aspx ] DAISY FUENTES NUDE [/url]
DANNII MINOGUE NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LORAINE1.aspx]DANNII MINOGUE NUDE[/url]
DANNII MINOGUE NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LORAINE1.aspx ] DANNII MINOGUE NUDE [/url]
DANNEEL HARRIS NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LOREAN1.aspx]DANNEEL HARRIS NUDE[/url]
DANNEEL HARRIS NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LOREAN1.aspx ] DANNEEL HARRIS NUDE [/url]
ANGIE HARMON NUDE
[url=http://my.curse.com/members/LOREEN2.aspx]ANGIE HARMON NUDE[/url]
ANGIE HARMON NUDE
[url= http://my.curse.com/members/LOREEN2.aspx ] ANGIE HARMON NUDE [/url]
undergraducate pharmacy continusing professional development http://icepharmacy.in/low-carb-diet/atkins-low-carb-diet-bulletin-board wegmans pharmacy fairport ny [url=http://icepharmacy.in/acupuncture/acupuncture-male-infertility]acupuncture male infertility[/url]
pharmacy equipment http://icepharmacy.in/abdominal/fitness-exercise-care-equipment-and-abdominal-personal vermont pharmacy assistance to the elderly [url=http://icepharmacy.in/cellulite/removing-cellulite]universtiy of hawaii pharmacy school[/url]
pharmacy creations http://icepharmacy.in/fitness/senior-chair-exercise eckerd pharmacy belmar new jersey [url=http://icepharmacy.in/body-building/binaural-beats-body-building-muscle-growth]binaural beats body building muscle growth[/url]
mondello pharmacy boston http://icepharmacy.in/herbal-life/herbal-hypertension online pharmacy information [url=http://icepharmacy.in/warts/pic-venereal-wart]medco pharmacy[/url]
pharmacy acquisition http://icepharmacy.in/cellulite/perdre-la-cellulite the pharmacy connection [url=http://icepharmacy.in/beauty/beauty-consultant-software]beauty consultant software[/url]
career day pharmacy http://icepharmacy.in/bath-salt park and king pharmacy in jacksonville florida [url=http://icepharmacy.in/facial/white-facial-hair-women]college of pharmacy tennessee[/url]
Hello.. Firstly I would like to send greetings to all readers. After this, I recognize the content so interesting about this article. For me personally I liked all the information. I would like to know of cases like this more often. In my personal experience I might mention a book called Green Parks Costa Rica in this book that I mentioned have very interesting topics, and also you have much to do with the main theme of this article.
I admire the valuable information you provide in your articles. I'll mark your blog and see my friends here often. I'm sure you will learn many new things here than anyone else!
Post a Comment