In a world where communism is really a threat to people's privacy, suspicion can drive you mad. Not only are you endlessly going over all your interactions with everyone you know, but you'll start to suspect those closest to you as well. This can build to a crescendo, until you actually find that you are being listened to.
The lighting early on in this film is a great technique to build the suspense, which just adds to the insanity of communism.
Review of The Ear
