There was a film titled "Egymásra nézve" ("Another Way"), which premiered in 1982, six years before Kádár's downfall in 1988. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the film's production history, but I remember that an exceptionally large number of people watched it at the time (including myself) and it later achieved cultfilm status thanks to e.g. its overt depiction of lesbian sexuality too. (Kultfilm/Cultfilm=these films typically possess a unique, quirky, or non-traditional style that makes them stand out from other films and eventually achieve cult status over time.).
Off topic, sorry: To my knowledge, the above propaganda-portrait of Rákosi is a fake photo. He was on a distant tour with his car, and he has to have a stop at roadside, due to some easy biological reason. His photographer was also there and he made a photo, when Rákosi made his life a bit easier - of course, only his face is photographed. Therefore is there a smile on his face. The piece of wheat was later montaged on the photo - which was a skill at that time, since there was still nothing like photoshop.
“While the regime did not actively suppress individuals…” oh yes it did, when someone didn't _know their place_ .
But for those who had nothing against the system and could fit in well, it indeed felt like no suppression
There was a film titled "Egymásra nézve" ("Another Way"), which premiered in 1982, six years before Kádár's downfall in 1988. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the film's production history, but I remember that an exceptionally large number of people watched it at the time (including myself) and it later achieved cultfilm status thanks to e.g. its overt depiction of lesbian sexuality too. (Kultfilm/Cultfilm=these films typically possess a unique, quirky, or non-traditional style that makes them stand out from other films and eventually achieve cult status over time.).
Off topic, sorry: To my knowledge, the above propaganda-portrait of Rákosi is a fake photo. He was on a distant tour with his car, and he has to have a stop at roadside, due to some easy biological reason. His photographer was also there and he made a photo, when Rákosi made his life a bit easier - of course, only his face is photographed. Therefore is there a smile on his face. The piece of wheat was later montaged on the photo - which was a skill at that time, since there was still nothing like photoshop.