Director János Szikora: I was overwhelmed by the water, wondering what I am doing among these files

János Szikora, a Hungarian director, expressed shock after his name appeared in a recently released state security database, revealing he was recruited as an informant in 1987. He recounted a past incident involving a drunk driving arrest that led to a meeting with a security officer who attempted to recruit him. Szikora refused to cooperate, stating he never reported on anyone and felt he escaped a troubling situation. He acknowledged his past mistakes but emphasized he was not an agent. The release of these documents raises questions about the nature of informants during the Kádár era and the impact of public exposure on individuals' reputations. Szikora believes the media's portrayal will determine whether this is seen as a cleansing process or a stigmatization.