Don't smoke in here!
Mind your work!
PRODUCER
What's this farce with the Americans?
Whatever you're doing
it's not gonna work.
lt's too late, l'm afraid.
l'm tired.
STARRING
PRODUCTlON DESIGN
COSTUMES
SOUND
PRODUCTlON MANAGER
MAKE UP
SCREENPLAY
MUSIC
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
DIRECTED BY
Our freedom, your choice.
No turning back.
So?
l'm not so sure.
We've talked this over a hundred times.
You don't need to do this.
You're educated, a good drawer.
You're not in for long.
Yo, draw me some pussy!
You can use the time.
Once you're out, the world's yours.
You want me to be like them?
A pathological syndrome.
A smoke, Professor?
What syndrome?
Self-contradictory goals.
The beginning of schizophrenia.
This place used to be a psychiatric hospital once.
What's up?
l don't want her mixed in it.
Maybe escape is a bad idea?
You'll have to hide.
You can't iust buy a flat.
They'll find you everywhere, Mexico, Spain...
unless you hide in Borneo or the Amazon jungle.
- Jesus! - What? Regretting your sins?
That's why they put you in jail, after all.
- And you? - l'd choose Borneo.
You know l was set up by my partner.
- You should've testified. - l'll handle it myself.
You know the code of honor?
- OK, set it up. - l already have.
You owe me a box of smokes.
Every day give one pack to my guy.
Not much, huh? You don't smoke, anyway.
Just don't weep. The visit is short.
Be strong or you'll break her heart,
if she really loves you.
That's what really matters now.
ls the place bugged?
There's a guard there.
And a mole in the cell is cheaper.
- Right, Blade?! - Right.
He got his lesson.
- Fuck! - What's wrong?
Shut up!
Another show. Again.
Turn around.
He's good.
Say something.
What shall l say?
You don't want me here?
l do.
So...
You don't love me anymore?
Silly you.
Can we touch here?
We can hug.
Sit down. l can't...
lf you can't, iust let it go.
Want me to buy you something?
l have everything l need.
The lawyer says, that the new regulations
allow him to file for your parole again.
He's putting you on.
We know everything about new regulations here.
l've finished reading this.
Very interesting speech by senator Octavian
on the defense of Democracy. You can get me another volume.
''14 Akaciowa St., blackmail. Szewczyk''
You must arrange that session as soon as possible.
Be at the office tomorrow. l'm meeting the editor.
- Hello, Mr. Mietek, sir. - It's like St. Tropez.
- The boys are exercising. - Is everything okay?
- Some taproom tricks again? - Yeah.
Ten shots of vodka in 30 seconds.
- Smoke? - Sure.
Just one.
l'm worried that...
she's not cut out for that.
She's iust too good-hearted.
- You know this one? - What?
lt's clean.
Look then.
That's a good one!
Where did you get it? In a fun stuff store?
- When he went out for beer yesterday. - Got anything new?
- Whose is this? - Fuck!
They've iust filed for the Krauss's case.
- l wrote the truth. - Really?
Changes in school monitoring policy law,
so his son can make a fortune.
- And you're proud of it? - Yes, l am.
lf you want to promote free press...
lsn't that what you taught me?!
We've been sued for half a million!
ls that enough for you?
What would you do in my place?
l'll take that commentary back.
l'll write a letter of apology right away.
- Good you're here. - Couldn't be any sooner.
- And? - They've rented a suite. - Let's go.
How was the session?
Great.
- Did you talk to him? - Yes.
l could handle that myself.
lt's the best way.
Let's not discuss it again, please.
Muiahedin Council contacted our embassy in Kabul.
They want our troops out of Afghanistan.
And six million dollars.
For iust one MP?
The army is a cover.
lt's always about money. Can you recapture the hostage?
We have no intelligence there.
We'd need our allies assistance.
What about the finances?
After the latest scandal we must be very cautious.
lt's an extraordinary situation.
The life ofthe Polish MP is at stake.
Six million $ is a problem?!
NATO members don't pay terrorists.
That's the latest resolution.
What about an unofficial way?
Unofficially,
co m pa n ies may pay for their abducted employees.
But this is an MP.
Last night, on the border of Afghanistan and Iran,
a PoIish MP, Jan Szewczyk
has been abducted.
AI Jazeera has broadcast a short fiIm.
PIease, be advised
of its vioIent content.
Good it's only an MP.
His kind deserves good spanking.
Shut up!
To the Ministy of Defense and the PoIish government:
pIease, withdraw our troops.
The warriors are right.
They're not to be b Iamed.
This is not our war.
- May l? - Yes.
l'd like to present a different option to Prime Minister
- before the end of the day. - Okay.
lnternal Affairs will take charge of it,
along with Vice-Minister Bak and his department.
We're looking at some work here.
But for you, boss, we'd be stuck here all day.
Who's to be the negotiator?
You, of course.
l can barely speak Russian.
He wasn't kidnapped by the Russians.
And Talibs most probably speak their Talib language.
The embassy has an interpreter.
- Have you informed Bukowski yet? - Yes. He must be on his way now.
You're late.
l've got a boo boo.
We have to buy out our MP from the Afghans.
The government's set up a crisis group.
We do the iob, as usual.
Konar will fill you in,
he is the negotiator.
We know your achievements.
That's why you'll be in charge of the operation.
We risk a lot,
so no one may learn about my plan.
Waldemar will fly off to Kabul
and start negotiating with the kidnappers.
He'll prolong it. It isn't a significant group.
They seem to care only about the money.
l thought you wanted it quick and effective.
Make it long and troubled.
Listen, now.
We'll print bucks.
Six million.
lt'll take about mo weeks.
What do you mean ''print''?
That's your iob.
lt's about that pro, you busted.
l get it.
What about the agency? Won't they watch over us?
We're trying to obtain the real cash at the same time.
l'll take care of that.
When the Talibs figure it out, they'll kill me and the hostage.
They won't.
We'll test the dollars.
He tricked even the US Federal Bank.
What if we get the real money?
Then we'll split the forged cash bemeen us. Just print them neatly.
Why don't we split the real?
Kowalewski!
Let's go. Off to the warden's office.
He's a pussy.
Convict Kowalewski! Major Bukowski from the Ministry.
- Maior wants to talk. - Thank you very much.
- Not a captain? - You got me a promotion.
Sit down. l've an official proposition for you.
How can l be of any use?
You'll get back to the printing press for a while.
l quit it.
l need six million in mo weeks.
lfyou do it well, we'll reduce your time by one third.
l'll get that for good conduct.
- Six million? - Dollars. In hundreds.
Unreal deadline.
l need mo weeks to prepare the matrices.
My mechanic Kotecki's doing time in Rawicz.
- The paper, the paint... - We've got your matrices.
We'll release the mechanic. You can start tomorrow.
Otherwise, you'll do the full time without parole.
Do you have my matrices?
Well then.
l'll think it over and let you know tomorrow.
l'd rather you did it today. We're pressed for time.
l'll do my best.
lf everything works out, you'll go back for a year
- in a minimum security unit. - We'll negotiate tomorrow.
The situation is difficult.
From the NATO point of view, we shouldn't pay the ransom.
Yet, we can't recapture the MP by force.
l understand you have some options?
We may ask Pakistan
the release of terrorists from the prison.
lt's quite unreal, but we'll try.
We need time to organize the money.
Szewczyk has influential friends. They might pay for him.
Just figure out, how to hand the money over?
Of course.
- An interesting hobby. - It's my dad's.
l sold my flat
to pay the debts his partner got him in.
l moved here but had no heart to get rid ofthis collection.
He's been collecting them since l remember.
Some real collector's items are here.
Beautiful.
l miss him a lot.
Do you know, how it feels?
Not quite.
As if you couldn't breathe.
We wanted to have children.
lt's for you.
l have no gramophone.
You have no gramophone, l have no man. It sucks, doesn't it?
Don't worry. Everything's going well.
The guy, who busted me, wants me now to forge for him.
- And he offers me freedom. - You didn't wait long.
All l know is, the last time l did that, it turned nasty on me.
You need extra security, then.
Have faith.
Afghanistan. The Government has taken efforts to free a PoIish MP
Jan Szewczyk.
The Government's officiaI says,
it's the priority at the moment.
The Minister of the tnternat Affairs and the Administration
has sent an experienced negotiator there.
l told you they'd buy the cocksucker out.
When will you see the chief screw?
ln a moment.
You know, what that means?
Every fag's a cop?
Successful attempt of translation.
Congratulations.
Everyone is a liar.
Remember that.
They are spoiling you here. l haven't been to theater for 5 years.
You get what you need.
Well?
l have my conditions.
You'll remit the rest of my time.
l'm the boss in the printing-house.
You release my mechanic and remit his time, too.
l spend nights with my woman.
And my cellmates will work in the library.
Remit the rest of your time?
l can accept the Kotecki's thing, his time is almost done.
But you may get a temporary leave at best.
You'll apply for parole, and we shall grant it.
A leave? There's nothing to talk about, then.
The revision of your sentence will last at least a year.
3 months at the most, or forget about the whole thing.
- 6 months. - Five.
Six!
And we can't get your girlfriend involved in it.
l'll tell her l've gotten a leave to do social service.
You know, l keep my mouth shut.
Take the prisoner to his cell!
We've got a deal?
Who works for us in Rawicz?
Walk's over, Kotecki. Get out.
The gentleman's here for you.
I'm in the embassy in XabuI. Nobody knows anything here.
TotaI panic. They're afraid of eveything.
Very good. Where's the second Secretary?
Out. Should be back in an hour.
He's got your aIIowance and an itineray for you.
I'II caII you in the evening.
Everything's under control, Mr. Prime Minister.
The negotiator is already there. He's setting out tomorrow.
l'm in touch with the agency.
Yes, l'll call you tomorrow.
Hi.
You were right. Konar's a moron.
But l have to let him in.
l vouch for Bukowski. l'll let him know, too.
What? You don't want me to?
l was thinking about it a lot in the slammer.
Not enough, since you did not allow me to visit you.
Don't be mad.
Leave it, please!
Yes?
Now?
Fuck!
l'm sorry.
Relax. You haven't even started, yet.
l've got to go.
Do you need anything else?
We've got everything,
except... these.
You can buy them in regular stores.
- Soot? - Soot.
What's the GE 6/5 paper?
These are the numbers of palettes at the Silesian Stationer's.
You iust need to confiscate them.
Take it off.
- Anything else? - Anything else, Robert?
Yeah. Coffee, sugar, cream.
We need deliveries from some good restaurant.
l also need a macro-lens.
The American paper has red and blue threads.
lt took us several months to figure out,
you iust need to add some red and blue old clothes.
23% linen, 77% cotton.
Here's a coded line that says:
''The United States of America.''
But you can do this?
Your department once iudged my hundreds to be perfect.
Excuse me.
NO SMOKING
Smoke deteriorates the quality of print.
The soot doesn't tolerate smoke.
Get to work.
- What are you doing here? - l want you to give me a reportage
- on the abduction of Szewczyk MP. - l'll think about it.
- Anything in it for us? - l've been sniffing around.
- l have a gut feeling. - It's just the usual stuff.
Kidnapping, demands, negotiations.
What about special services?
Why did they send an inexperienced negotiator?
He doesn't even know the language.
l'm not surprised by that.
They've got a history of screw-ups.
Just don't get us in trouble again.
They've been supervised by the Security Agency.
Do you have any contacts there?
You can't hide it, Prime Minister.
Everyone will want to know, whether we're paying or not.
Tell them we're discussing with Pakistan the possibility of freeing the hostage.
lt'll be easier to account for.
We're also working on obtaining the cash.
Keep an eye on this. Good luck.
Thank you.
What's up?
The prints?
lt's to be discarded, anyway.
- What's up? - The pigment doesn't rub off.
Now!
Got it?
All right!
Coffee break, gentlemen!
- Hello. - Hello.
Sorry, l'm late.
You know me, don't you? l have a proposition for you.
With no introduction?
l'm all ears.
- Do you, sir... excuse me. - Call me Karol.
- Jowita. Do you smoke? - Not anymore.
They say all reporters are chain smokers.
Does it make them more serious?
l've found a lead l need to verify. l want to write an article about it.
l know it will be excellent.
Can you answer a couple of my questions?
l know, it's confidential,
but you may have some info by now?
Every detail is of interest to me.
l've thought of everything.
Take it.
Good news.
We're on with the iob.
Yes?
Relax. We'll make it on time.
Would you guess it's counterfeit?
They're not counterfeit. They're replicas.
ldentical as the original.
Yeah, right. And they have a value in gold, too?
Doesn't it hurt any more?
Forging money:
paragraph 310.
lt's a crime.
Really?
And what are you doing here now?
For a professional service, we want to let a criminal walk free.
But it gives you no remorse, does it?
- What's up? - The pump broke.
The pump broke?
Fuck! The pump broke!
Fix it!
You can't fix it.
Where can you get one?
From the manufacturer in Japan. Excuse me.
Fuck!
The printing-house of the Polish Publishing Agency.
They print documents! They must have a pump!
They did, when l worked for them five years ago.
- Do we have anyone in there? - Not any more.
We'll do it my way.
You're coming with me. You'll show me the way.
Move it!
Maior Bukowski.
How can l help you?
We're investigating the promotion of fascism.
- Your printing-house is involved. - It's some misunderstanding.
l have a request. The pump in our printing house broke.
We have some urgent work to do. The service takes time.
We need to borrow... What's it called?!
Paint distributor for HGX-600.
lmpossible.
HGX is for making passports, important documents.
lt's only for the government's orders.
Yes, but you printed German papers, 3 months ago,
100.000 of them. That was no government's order.
The order came from abroad. It was paid in euro. In advance.
We must earn our living. This is no crime.
A Bavarian neo-Nazi periodical? You know it's against the law.
lt was a one time business.
What do you want me to say?
l didn't arrange it!
lt doesn't matter. Here's what we'll do:
You'll have that pump dismounted,
and in the meantime you'll tell us about the tender.
- So? - Okay.
Here you go.
Thank you.
We should finish by tomorrow.
They'll probably take me straight back to the slammer.
l'll come to say goodbye.
Yes.
Don't be silly.
You think, that Bukowski will keep his word?
l don't know.
We'll go away.
Okay?
Sooner, or later.
l want to go to a desert island.
- What's up? - Get dressed. You'll come with us.
- But... - Major called for you.
l haven't predicted that.
l may not be back.
Ela. Don't do this.
Be a man! You're a crook's girlfriend now.
Thank you.
l've good news for you. Your products passed the test.
Same for me.
Why have you brought me down here?
- What are your plans for the future? - Taking some vacation.
- And then? - Vacation again.
We've had a good cooperation, so maybe...
No! Count me out.
You don't know my offer, yet.
l don't even want to hear it.
Finish your drink.
Let's go.
Wait by the car.
Hold it! l'll get him!
You're not made to be a hero.
Next time l won't save you.
The box to the office.
- Take Kotecki with you. - Kotecki, get moving.
Take care.
All right then.
What about me now?
Gotta be in to get out.
How about the negotiations?
Do you know anything, yet?
l've checked a couple of things.
Pretty interesting. They're within our interest, too.
You were right.
Strange they have sent an inexperienced negotiator there.
- But something else bothers me. - What is that?
Why are you so much into this case?
Give me a break.
You know l'm a iournalist.
Maybe you could give me some information?
How is it?
- Mechanic Kotecki ran away. - How come?
He's in a minimum security prison and his time's almost done.
- He didn't come back from work. - A prisoner went out to town?
They seldom escape right before the end of their time.
- Damn! - We'll get him.
Let's not stir things up now.
How's your negotiator? Any progress?
- Yes, we're almost through. - Takes you a lot of time.
Can't the Ministry of Finance spare six million?
lt's not within the interest of your department.
My department likes to keep an eye on everything.
Everything's working out as planned.
Good day.
- We need to talk. - Yeah, it's getting tense.
Will you tell me, what it's about?
lt's about nothing.
We've some bills to check. Can you look at them, please?
They all look real.
There are some differences, but we must remember
Americans print them at several different locations.
Engravings are okay. The color and coding, too.
Microprint of standard density.
l'd have to take some time over their serial numbers.
They don't seem to have been used.
So they aren't counterfeit?
Amateurs think hundred dollar bills are the easiest,
as they are only green and black.
Americans make other bills colorful,
like their visa stamps.
Hundreds will be colorful, too,
after multi-optical paint is applied.
ldeal counterfeit is almost impossible.
Almost?
Almost.
l knew one Polish specialist for dollars.
He was busted some 2 years ago?
He's in, so he couldn't make these ones.
Thank you. You were pretty helpful.
What makes you so happy?
- Thank you very much. - You're welcome.
They are here.
- Here it is. - So they've gathered it.
Here's the accountant, and the courier.
- Here are the documents. - Thank you.
There was a call from the airport. The plane's waiting.
Mr. Konar will give you further information on the spot.
Of course.
Naturally.
Undoubtedly, the life of the hostage was a priority.
Thank you, Mr. Ambassador.
They freed Szewczyk.
The money's gone,
the MP's back.
l must apologize for not telling you everything.
There was no abduction.
How come?
They wanted to get Szewczyk out of politics.
They had some compromising stuff on him.
The Afghans took money for the masquerade.
l used my old contacts to get to them.
So we killed mo birds with one stone.
The MP is coming back as a hero,
and we'll split the money.
- Where was he then? - In an oasis near Jalalabad,
cooling down.
So...
Let's go to my place
and have some drinks.
You aren't mad, are you?
lmpressed, l'd say.
Szewczyk wanted me tell you once he'd be safe.
- Sieradzki's sniffing around. - They're pussyFooting in the dark.
lt was a pure coincidence.
l don't believe in coincidence.
Why're you walking around like that?
Walking or sitting, you're in the slammer, anyway.
Borneo.
Look.
See?
Where is it?
lt's an island.
- Convict Kowalewski! - Here l am.
Out!
l have bad feelings.
- They won't let you out, after all. - Don't piss me off!
l've got to make a call and remind them of me.
Relax. We'll keep on working.
Have you got it?
You'll call when the guard's off to the loo.
Will he go?
Go ahead. Quickly.
Thanks.
lt's Kowalewski. Are you gonna stick to the deal?
l'm in the slammer, if you care to know.
Good you've called.
Our deal's off.
We've got problems with your product,
plus you're looking at some new charges from paragraph 148.
Remember the gun you played with recently?
lt's part of evidence.
Be nice, or we'll speed up the investigation.
That's all.
- 148? - Murder.
He wants to set me up.
Call home. Make it quick.
- Too late. - Wait.
All right.
Elizabeth? Plan B.
Hang up!
Yes, l love you.
Relax. A little to the side.
Which book can you recommend?
What about ''The Memories of a Blue Uniform''?
lt's me.
We're on.
Great plan you've devised there.
Adventure of a lifetime?
Here are the photos.
l hope there're no more left.
l believe you.
Your commission.
Three hundred thousand.
Once l discovered, he has an account in Switzerland.
He keeps all his extra money there.
Now l happened to come across those porn shots.
You happened to?
The whole parliament know the pleasures he's after.
l didn't get the girls for him.
lt's iust that one photographer owed me a favor...
The inmates may use some entertainment.
So we have to organize something like every year, right?
What's it gonna be this time?
We staged a play last year, so we can have a song festival this time.
- Good. Take care of that. - But it requires preparations.
So, what do you suggest, then?
The art of illusion?
Magic?
Good. We've never had that before.
There is one spectacular number.
What do you need?
- Regular stage equipment. - We can do that.
''Dear Mr. President.
''As a guarantor of the agreement bemeen convict Kowalewski
''and maior Bukowski, l decided to fulfill my obligation
''and ask for this convict to be released.
''Please, check if all the ransom money
''for the freedom and life of the Polish MP,
''manufactured under compulsion, amounting to $6.000.000,
''- was duly deployed.'' ''- t'm sending you one bitt,
''and the seriat numbers of the remaining ones.
''PIease, verify the part pIayed by the hostage in this entire case.
''Signed: Bneg Prison Manager - Piotr Xnappe.''
Hi, it's me.
l have something interesting for you.
A professional.
With a good sense of humor.
Go ahead.
That letter wasn't written by the prison manager, was it?
No, it wasn't.
You really thought that letter would reach the president?
Why? It didn't?
- What do you know? - What the letter says.
Sheer insinuations.
Substantiate them. It's your job, isn't it?
That'd be an international scandal.
l know nothing about politics.
l don't give a damn.
You don't give a damn?
So, maybe you don't have to remember certain things?
But l do.
So does mechanic Kotecki.
Seems there are more people with good memory involved.
Who do you mean?
Did maior Bukowski
give you the impression all agents are fools?
- Professor? - He knows nothing.
l iust asked him to send a fax.
What about professor's daughter?
lt's professor's business. l stay out of it.
l can see mo ways out.
You keep your mouth shut, or...
you keep your mouth shut.
l'm pretty interested in the way out.
And l like to keep my mouth shut out in the fresh air.
Fresh air is scarce now. Unless it's Spitsbergen.
l was thinking about Borneo.
Liquidating an inmate's not that easy.
Yes...
But it's an ultimate guarantee.
What if l...
secured myself? In some reassurance society?
Okay.
What do l get for that Borneo of yours?
Have you considered why they abducted that MP?
Have Knappe escort that inmate to Warsaw tomorrow. For interrogation.
l'll tell you the rest on route.
No one may know about this.
This is a crime, Prime Minister.
Do you realize what scandal that would be?!
Poland, like North Korea, prints dollars?! Six million?
l order you to remain confidential about it. Clear?
What about the witnesses? l expect your immediate decisions!
Knappe, Brzeg Prison Manager.
l'm calling to confirm, whether convict Kowalewski
arrived in Warsaw as planned?
l have a signed transport documents here.
l can't give you any information now.
We'll check it and let you know, as soon as possible.
Please, remember, that you are under an obligation of secrecy.
- Where's the main entrance? - l'll be right there!
- l stink horribly. - Nonsense.
How long have you known Szewczyk?
l've never seen him.
Once l ran an investigation into his party finances. That's it.
Why did you come with this to me?
You knew we'd check it all.
So, what did you find out?
Have you caught them, yet?
- No. - What do you mean by 'no'?
We haven't.
Did you know your father's partner?
l never met him.
What does it matter? He's been long dead now.
Okay. Let bygones be bygones.
Just forget it.
When l went to Szewczyk to show him the pictures...
Yes?
Why didn't you do it?
My father insisted.
He was afraid Szewczyk could recognize me as a journalist.
- Are you angry about that? - Not at all.
l iust thought...
that you chose me, because l'm so natural and naive.
That, too.
The conditions of this place
will make this number special.
l'm pretty curious myself.
What's next?
He'll climb back over the wall. He showed me that yesterday.
To be continued in a week!
A nuclear gap in the wall! He's been working long on this.
Now he's getting out of the wall and into the street.
What's that shit about?!
Guard!
l can see him! He's walking out ofthe wall!
Alarm! Back to their cells! Search the yard.
- l'll go outside. - l teach you to put on shows!
They left.
- Remember, what you're to do? - Thanks.
How was the iourney?
- How was it? - Can't remember a thing.
l took a nap.
Tell me everything.
Szuler and Kosa will stay here.
They'll make it.
They'll get out soon, they have bank accounts, best lawyers.
They've been arranged for.
Hello, Eryk Wagminer. Wajnert Legal Office.
lt doesn't look so... easy.
- Do you speak French? - Yes, l do.
That will be easier.
lt's too early for conditional release.
But your case is a priority for my office.
lt's a matter of a few weeks.
- What? - We're to be getting ready.
Here's my Ela. Hi.
So, honey...
Wait.
Are you happy?
- Do you want to drive? - Yes.
- Got a cell? - Yes. And that other car?
l left the keys in the ignition. It'll make someone happy.
ls that partner that got you in jail really dead?
Yes. l love you. Get in.
l knew that.
Did you send it, Ela?
l did. They must have received it by now.
Too late, l'm afraid.
Sorry. We were iust to turn it down.
Security Agency. You're under arrest.
Do you recognize me?
Have a nice vacation in the slammer, partner.
All the characters and events pictured in this film are fictitious.
All the similarities to real life situations
are accidental and unintentional.