The film features career-defining performances from Andrzej Chyra (Gerard), Robert Gonera, and Jacek Borcuch.
In the late 90s, Polish cinema delivered a gut-punch that still resonates today. Dług (1999) , known internationally as The Debt , isn't just a thriller; it is a harrowing cautionary tale about the dark side of capitalism and the fragility of middle-class morality.
The plot follows two young Warsaw entrepreneurs, Adam and Stefan , who dream of importing Italian scooters to Poland. When the bank refuses them a loan, they cross paths with Gerard, a seemingly helpful acquaintance.
The most unsettling part of Dług is that it is based on real events . The film dramatizes the ordeal of Sławomir Sikora and Artur Bryliński, who were terrorized by a real-life gangster in the early 90s.
By omitting some of the most extreme real-life torture to keep the story "credible" for film, Krauze created a tension that is almost unbearable to watch.