Disease of the Third Power by Zuza Piussi

A ceiling shot shows a labyrinthine ornament, at the centre of which appears an old light bulb. The very first image of Disease of the Third Power is a striking symbol, not only for a confusing topic, but also for how to visually relate to that topic. The film also shows that it is hard to find footage that doesn’t relate to staged events. For example a coffin is symbolically carried to the grave by a crowd of demonstrators to make a statement about the dying judicial system in Slovakia. A TV recording of a parliament discussion, a dance performance, as well as the hearings in court, are all staged for a public. These media generated events are of course necessary to express and debate positions. But that is why those moments in the film when people have no answers and remain silent become especially interesting. So is the case when Minister of Justice Lucia Zitnanska refers to the question: “What did Harabin do well?”. Or when a judge is asked: “Tell me something about fear!”

As a lawyer defending justice, the film reveals contradictory positions, but the view behind the curtain of judicial practice is denied to the viewer. In the end the audience is put in the very same unfortunate position as the main protagonists of this documentary: as judges.

By Johannes Bennke