The Debt Machine

Storyline

In the Netherlands, one in five young people has problematic debts. The government, such as the Tax Authorities or the CJIB, is often their largest creditor. Documentary maker Camiel Zwart shows how young people are held captive by sky-high debts, fines, interest and interest on fines. Every day they struggle in the bureaucratic merry-go-round that the debt industry entails. We follow young people from Amsterdam Zuidoost in sometimes hopeless financial situations. Ricky has been trying to get his life on track for seven years. But how do you do that without an income and a permanent home address? Elyvonne received a debt claim when she was 18, because her school books were not paid for when she was twelve. The tax authorities, collection agencies and insurers are unrelenting; If payment is not made, you will simply be charged a fine with interest.