The 19th Méně Tekel festival against totalitarianism is set to open with a screening of the hour-long documentary drama 'Akcia Monaco', directed by Slovak filmmaker Dušan Trančík, which recounts an event from 1948 in Bratislava involving the Czechoslovak secret police (StB). This year's festival will run until March 1 and will feature exhibitions and conferences, including one on 'New Threats to Democracy in the 21st Century' scheduled for February 25 in the Senate. The festival coincides with a memorial gathering that marks the 78th anniversary of the student march for freedom and democracy to Prague Castle.

The film 'Akcia Monaco', co-produced by Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and France, sheds light on a specific operation conducted by the StB against the French consulate in Bratislava. During this operation, secret police agents disguised as a film crew intercepted diplomatic mail, leading to the arrest of Czechoslovak consulate workers. The consulate's head, Étienne Manac’h, and his aide managed to escape, but the aftermath led to a notorious show trial that resulted in two death sentences and several life imprisonments. The film is based on the book by Jozef Jablonický, which adds historical context and depth to the dramatized events depicted on screen.