In December 1970, a series of strikes and riots took place in northern Poland in protest against the sudden increase in price of basic groceries. In response, the communist government sent in the army and police to put a violent end to the demonstrations. The documentary 1970 draws upon archival photography, recently-discovered telephone conversations and stop-motion animation to better understand why the Polish authorities took the actions that they did. In doing so, Tomasz Wolski creates a precise picture about what power is and how its mechanisms function, opening up a universal discussion that encapsulates the use of force by present-day governments across the globe.