The Constant Factor

Set in the late 20th century, the film depicts a Poland where international work travel is possible but bureaucratically blocked. Urban development and evolving workplaces shape the daily life of a skilled technician. The Himalayas expedition represents a distant goal beyond provincial life.

The story unfolds across Poland, moving from a provincial town to a hospital corridor and bustling urban construction sites. A planned expedition to the Himalayas serves as a contrasting horizon of ambition and risk. The settings include a modern exhibition company, high-rise scaffolding, and a polytechnic classroom, framing Witold's rise and fall.

💼 Corruption

Witold's boss Mariusz and his colleagues engage in visa fraud and demand bribes to access basic services. The film exposes how individuals navigate a flawed system, and Witold's defiance triggers retaliation. The narrative probes how ethics are tested within a corrupt workplace.

🕯️ Loss

Witold's mother's illness and death become a turning point, fueling his resistance to complicity. The hospital sequence highlights the human cost of bureaucratic indifference. Mourning strengthens his resolve to change his path.

🧗 Resilience

After losing his job, Witold pivots to precarious work as a window cleaner and scaffolder, showing adaptability. He pursues self-improvement by attending mathematics lectures at the Polytechnic, seeking progress despite setbacks. The arc traces a cautious ascent from corruption toward personal growth.