The Guilt (1999)

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Movie
German title The blame
Original title Dług
Country of production Poland
original language Polish
Publishing year 1999
length 107 minutes
Age rating FSK 12
Rod
Director Krzysztof Krauze
script Krzysztof Krauze ,
Jerzy Morawski
production Juliusz Machulski
music Michał Urbaniak
camera Bartosz Prokopowicz
cut Krzysztof Szpetmanski
occupation

The Guilt (original title: Dług ) is a Polish film from 1999 based on the true story of the two young businessmen Artur Bryliński (in the film Adam) and Sławomir Sikora (in the film Stefan).

action

The friends Adam and Stefan live in Warsaw in the early 1990s. Like so many in the fledgling capitalism of post-communist Poland, they want to get rich with business and see their opportunity in importing scooters from Italy . But for this business they need a loan. When the banks are unable to help, they meet a casual acquaintance, Gerard, who promises to help them obtain credit. The deal still does not materialize. However, Gerard confronts her with his expenses. They did not receive any money but are now burdened with a debt to Gerard. The seedy Gerard puts the two young businessmen under pressure. The debt grows and grows through dubious interest rates. Adam and Stefan feel like they have been blackmailed by the Mafia and have to fear for their lives. They decide to go to the police, but they cannot find any help there either. Ultimately, they see no other way out than to kill Gerard. They make the act look like a brutal revenge murder by the Mafia. However, the young people cannot cope with the terrible act and Adam finally turns himself in to the police.

background

The true story made waves in the daily press after the body was discovered in the Vistula . In Poland, however, the story was only really noticed when Krzysztof Krauze made his film years later. He interviewed Artur Bryliński and Sławomir Sikora, who were sentenced to 25 years in prison, and wrote the script on this basis. After the great cinema success and numerous awards, the population demanded that the perpetrators be pardoned. Aleksander Kwaśniewski finally pardoned Sikora in 2005, who meanwhile made a name for himself as a writer through his autobiography and other publications. Artur Bryliński is currently waiting for the pardon on the loose (break in prison).

In Germany, the film was shown at the Berlinale 2000 as part of the Panorama section, but never made it to German cinemas. The ZDF later broadcast a synchronized version.

Reviews

  • Filmdienst: A gripping film based on an authentic case that denounces the increasing brutalization of Eastern European societies as well as the rampant capitalism and the exploitation that goes with it.

Awards

Web links