DARIUSZ ZAWISLAK adapted the classic drama of the original BALLADYNIA, making it a modern day, political suspense drama intertwined with a classic, troubled love story with a twist. He keeps most of the characters from the original BALLADYNA but moves the scene of the crime to the BIG CITY (New York City).
The kings and princes of old have been replaced with the rich and famous, and extremely influential.
The scandal in Slowacki’s play where the good King Popiel loses his throne is replaced with a political scandal instead – over a politician’s struggle to maintain power.
We have love, passion and jealousy in the film plot – two sisters (like the original) - the bad but beautiful (BALLY) and the good and equally beautiful (ALLY) are trying to get the same “Prince” (in Zawislak’s film an honorable, smart, rich, famous, sexy and handsome investigating reporter - KIRK).
Some really outstanding actors are in the Film. The great FAYE DUNAWAY plays the clairvoyant therapist with aplomb. The investigating reporter is skillfully played by one of Kieslowski’s favorite actors – MIROSŁAW BAKA and Poland’s newest star - SONIA BOHOSIEWICZ – sizzles on screen playing the two sisters.
Like the original drama there are many symbols and metaphors. Even colors used in the movie have secret meanings. As in the original play, there are many murders but unlike the original, in the film there is not only a higher justice at play but a human one as well as everyone investigates the murders.
Among the list of suspects are some very important government officials who significantly hinder the investigation and even the investigating reporter becomes a victim. In the end Justice is served, however, and the murderer unintentionally passes a self imposed death sentence as in the original romantic Drama. But is Justice really served? The director’s version of the last scene leaves the question open...
