History/Political Science paper by Papp, Susan M.
The Politics of Retribution Through the Lens of Igazoló Bizottságok [Certification Committees] in the World of Stage and Screen in Hungary, 1945-1947
Type of Abstract (select):Abstract (max. 250 words):
This presentation will examine what happened after 1945 within the world of stage and screen in Hungary. Who was left alive? How did individual actors/actresses situate themselves? How did the politics of retribution unfold in the reorganization of the field of theatre and film in Hungary? Who never worked again? What happened to the film community when Communism became firmly entrenched in Hungary?
This chapter will examine the inner workings of one such certification committee, the Magyar Szinészek Szabad Szakszervezete Igazoló Bizottság (Hungarian Actors Free Union Certification Committee), the union that was established to examine the details of the activities of actors, actresses and technical workers in the theatre and film world and to determine whether they would be certified to work again. For actors and actresses, to obtain certification was a matter of primary importance. This paper will examine the inner workings of the certification committee through the historical lens of the post war era and the methodology and decisions of the examiners. It will also look at the language utilized in their interviews, and why certain individuals were certified quickly and with very little administrative process, while others received several months or years or lifetime ban from acting in film and/or stage again.
Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Susan M. Papp, Director/Producer, earned a Master of Arts in North American Social History at York University in Toronto in 1985. She began her career in journalism at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Radio Drama department in 1981 as a historical researcher. In 1988, Ms. Papp became a current affairs producer in the regional news department at the CBC. Susan Papp developed a profile and reputation as an on-camera current affairs reporter specializing in social issues for CBC TV. In 1991, she was chosen to work as field producer for The Journal, and its subsequent retitled version Prime Time News. While at the CBC, she was awarded two of the top journalism awards in Canada: The Michener Award and the Best Investigative Award by the Canadian Journalists Association.
In 1993, while on leave of absence from the BBC, Ms. Papp founded her own television production company, Postmodern Productions, and has since produced documentaries for CBC, BRAVO, WTN, Discovery Channel and OMNI Television. She has published extensively in the field of Hungarian immigration and settlement in North America. Presently, Ms. Papp teaches Hungarian Studies at the Munk School for Global Affairs at the University of Toronto.