DEBT SOCIETY (SCHULDIG)

In a working-class neighborhood in North Amsterdam, almost everyone is deep in debt. Every month a parade of heavies, a bailiff, a police officer and a locksmith moves through the streets to evict people from their homes. It’s the ultimate, most dramatic consequence of the centuries-old hunt down on debtors. While the locals struggle with fines, guilt and shame, bailiffs and social workers face locked doors. You can’t get blood out of a stone. So who pays the price in the end and who is to blame?

Jean Counet photographed for 2 years during the shooting of a primetime tv series and podcast episodes. The six-part doc series Debt Society, directed by Ester Gould and Sarah Sylbing , was a national TV hit in the Netherlands, led to public debate and won several awards including the Silver Nipkow Disk.

The photos have been published in all Dutch major news papers, talkshows, presentations and are part of the series leader.

Client: Human Directors: Sarah Sylbing & Ester Gould Published @: De Correspondent, Volkskrant, NRC, Trouw, Parool, Telegraaf