Kontrakt (1980) : distribution, intrigue et streaming

Released in 1980, Kontrakt is a drame film directed by Krzysztof Zanussi, running about 114 minutes.

What it’s about. Bearing traces of the old Anton Chekhov play The Wedding, The Contract is set during an "arranged" ceremony. The bride and groom barely know each other, but this matters not at all to their tradition-bound families. At the last minute, the bride balks. Only slightly nonplused, the groom's father, a status-seeking doctor, decides to go ahead with the expensive reception anyway. Polish director Krzysz Zanussi uses this scenario to stick it to capitalist corruption, and to society's destruction of the individual spirit. Leslie Caron, the one recognizable member of the cast, is outstanding as a wealthy, over-the-hill ballerina who happens to be a kleptomaniac.

Who’s in it. Kontrakt stars Maja Komorowska as Dorota, żona Adama, Tadeusz Łomnicki as Adam Ostoja-Okędzki, ojciec Piotra, Magdalena Jarosz as Lilka Bartoszuk, żona Piotra and Krzysztof Kolberger as Piotr Ostoja-Okędzki, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.1/10, Kontrakt has proved divisive with audiences.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Kontrakt page.

If you liked it. Fans of Kontrakt tend to enjoy Les Évadés, Le Parrain, La Liste de Schindler and Le Parrain, 2e partie.