POLISH FILM ACADEMY

The first film of the "cinema of moral anxiety" of the years 1977-1981, a brutal portrayal of the entertainment industry, and a study ofruthless infighting, called “the clout” for material success. One of the most famous performances by Jerzy Stuhr.

Lutek Danielak, sixth or seventh in the hierarchy of master of ceremonies in the provincial branch of Estrada, works at events for children and pensioners, evenings in restaurants with dancing and school dances. He lives in a rented room in the apartment of Romek−a colleague from work. He is only a beginner, but he wants to be successful at all costs. Convinced that he is professionally no worse than his older colleagues, he tries to get a prestigious job at the opening of the Lux Hotel. He is promised help by the director of the Department of Culture, who declares that he wants to promote young talents.. Despite this, Lutek decides to effectively eliminate all competitors, just in case, including such old hands as Sikora, Majer, Lasota, and Myśliwiec. He sends anonymous denunciations, he uses blackmail, he cheats his friends, steals from his ex-wife and provides sexual services for a pensioner − the former secretary at Estrada − in exchange for information about Sikora. He offers his girlfriend to an influential employee at Polmozbyt in exchange for a voucher for a car for Myśliwiec. He eliminates Romek, who has already been promised the job. His efforts turn out to be unnecessary: the director remembered the promise and Lutek is commissioned for a job at a local dignitary ball. He is in his element, but Romek punches him in the face without a word.


Jan Słodowski, Leksykon polskich filmów fabularnych, Warszawa 1996