Talking about "the system", the official job creation program, as a facade and an illusion reminds me of the french-Italien movie "The Confession" (French: L'Aveu) from 1970 starring the married couple Yves Montand and Simone Signoret in two of their best roles.
It is a movie based on a book by Lise and Arthur London covering the true story about the very same Czech communist Arthur London who was defended in the Slánský trial in 1952. It is more a movie against totalitarianism and the trial than communism in particular.
In the movie the Czech vice minister of foreign affairs, Gerard, is kidnapped and imprisoned without knowing the reason why. Even though he is a loyal and faithful communist he is accused of treachery by an organization declaring themselves "above the ruling party". Because the system needs a case he is forced to play the game by using brainwashing techniques, drugs, learning by rote and physical humiliation and pressured into confessing imaginary crimes in a public court together with many others leading communists.
It becomes more and more clear to them that they are part of a show trial, the system has to make them an example, it is a make up of imaginary rules and systems needed to be followed to fulfill the empty show.
Things starts to fall apart and even though it is a matter of life, survival and uncertainty, humor and irony breaks through and becomes a turning point.
Well I know the Slánský trial is another ball game, but I could not resist the chance to point out some similarities to my own experiences. Judge for yourself. Here is a scene from the end of the movie.
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