BARTKOWIAK
Poland, 2021, 91 minutes, Colour.
Jozef Pawlowski, Zofia Domalik, Szymon Bobrowslo, Bartiomiej Topa, Rafal Zawierucha
Directed by Daniel Markovicz.
This is a kind of martial arts and crime thriller that could have been made anywhere. It could be easily read remade in the United States. And, it is the type of film that was popular with such action stars as Jean-Claude van Damme and Steven Seagal.
The film opens with a mixed martial arts fight, the hero, Tomasz being defeated, retiring to the country, abandoned by his trainer.
The hero is managing a nightclub owned by his brother who is mysteriously killed in a car-truck alleged accident. However, Tomasz makes the connection between the truck and companies involved in urban development plans. Much of the action takes place in board rooms as well as consultations with the various chiefs and their enforcers. One of these is Tomasz’s opponent in the first bout, now a bodyguard and an enforcer – which, of course, would lead to menacing of Tomasz’s girlfriend, Dominika, daughter of his trainer, secretary of committees considering urban development.
A great number of sinister characters in the business world. Heroism on part of the MMA fighter, his trainer and Dominika, David and Goliath story with David obviously prevailing.
- Polish crime thriller? Character studies? Mixed martial arts background? Politics, urban development and corruption?
- The Polish city, homes, mixed martial arts arenas, gyms and training? Nightclubs? Urban development, offices, meetings, business leaders, mansions? Musical score?
- The opening, the MMA fight, Tomasz, champion, his supporters, his trainer, the commentators, the crowds, his defeat? The consequences? The reaction of his trainer? His disappearing to the other town?
- Tomasz, relationship with his brother, the club? The family? His retirement from fighting? Managing the club? News of the death of his brother? The truck, the company, the political and business connections?
- Tomasz and his decision to investigate his brother’s death? The reconciliation with his trainer? The trainer, drinking, disillusioned? Relationship with his daughter?
- The urban development, falling down of all buildings, pressurising tenants and evicting them, violence? The meetings of the committee, Dominika present, her contribution? Her boss and his role? The other leaders, links, the controllers? Money?
- Dominika, with her father, with Tomasz, the growing relationship, her giving information?
- Tomasz’s initial opponent, bodyguard for the corrupted chief, taunting Tomasz, his attack on Dominika, the buildup to the confrontation, wounding the trainer, Tomasz and the fight, death?
- Tomasz and the investigation, the various leads, Dominika’s boss, his connection with the chief, his attachment to Dominika, trying to help her, his taking the money, court, death?
- The local authorities, the mayor, the connection with the building, corruption?
- Tomasz going to the mansion of the chief, the confrontation, the fights – to the death?
- The David and Goliath story, overcoming the wealthy and corrupt opponents? A future?
