JOHNNY – watch the trailer and listen to the film’s promotional song

The long-awaited film “Johnny”, directed by Daniel Jaroszek, hits cinema screens on 23 September. Based on a true story, it tells of the extraordinary friendship between Father Jan Kaczkowski and Patryk Galewski – a young man who did not have an easy start in life. In September, “Johnny” will compete for the Golden Lions at the 47th Polish Film Festival in Gdynia. Today we present the trailer and the single promoting the film.

Dawid Ogrodnik stars as the charismatic priest Jan Kaczkowski. Patryk Galewski is played by Piotr Trojan, winner of multiple awards for his performance in “25 lat niewinności. Sprawa Tomka Komendy”. Also appearing on screen are, among others, Magdalena Czerwińska, Anna Dymna, Maria Pakulnis, Marta Stalmierska, Witold Dębicki, Michał Kaleta and Joachim Lamża.

– I believe this film will be very important, because it speaks of wonderful human relationships. Of how we should respect one another, of how much we need each other. And of how we should not judge people by superficial traits, because the friendship of another human being is what matters. This is something we need very much in our lives right now. This film can give many people strength and prompt reflection – says Anna Dymna.

– This film is essentially about humanity, about how one can shed egoism at the crucial moment of passing away. About how, right up to the very end, one can behave magnificently and remain altruistic towards people and the world – adds Joachim Lamża.

Promotional single and soundtrack

Also premiering today is the song “Nie zrozumie nas”, performed by Dawid Karpiuk and composed especially for the film.

– “Nie zrozumie nas” is a song about a love that is ending, about the fact that sometimes you cannot stop the falling apart, the leaving. On the other hand, I wanted to try to feel what a person saying farewell to life feels. And a person – I believe – of faith. What conversations does he have in his head? What dilemmas does he face? I tried to reconcile my own personal farewell to someone very important to me, a farewell neither of us was able to stop, with a story about passing away, about doubts, about trying to hold on – to love, to life, whichever it may be. About winning a few more moments. Those who have never wept will not understand – says Dawid Karpiuk, the song’s performer and lyricist.

At the end of September, a vinyl featuring the soundtrack of “Johnny” will be released. The original score was composed by Michał Kush, a multiple Fryderyk Award winner, multi-platinum producer and composer, and the creator of all of Daria Zawiałow’s albums to date.

Book and audiobook

Screenwriter Maciej Kraszewski’s book “Johnny. Powieść o księdzu Janie Kaczkowskim” is now available for pre-order. From 7 September the novel will be available in bookshops and as an mp3 audiobook. The ebook goes on sale on 31 August at publio.pl.

About the film

“Johnny” is a story based on true events – one that moves and inspires. It is told from the perspective of Father Jan Kaczkowski’s charge, Patryk Galewski – a young man who did not have an easy start in life.

Patryk breaks into a house in a small town. A court sentence orders him to perform community service at the hospice in Puck, where he meets the remarkable Father Jan Kaczkowski. The priest gets young vocational-school boys – seemingly tough rebels – involved in helping the sick. In his work he focuses on closeness, tenderness and fighting for relationships with other people. He teaches empathy. And he does it with a wholesale supply of humour, which wins him enormous popularity. Soon afterwards, Jan himself faces the challenge of battling an illness. Patryk finds himself in a situation that will change his entire life.

The film is directed by Daniel Jaroszek, who has so far worked on projects in the advertising industry. “Johnny” will be his feature debut. Daniel is the holder of three KTR swords for projects made with Papaya Films.

The producer is Robert Kijak (NEXT FILM). The co-producers are TVN, Grupa Moderator Studio Filmowe, Warmia Resort, Dawid Podsiadło, Maciej Woć, Sebastian Kwiatkowski, Rafał Różański, Visual Work Rebel Media, Esmetric, Aneta Graff-Dąbrowska, Dreamsound, Cineline, Abstraction Plan, Maciej Kraszewski, Dobra Robota.

“Johnny” is being made in cooperation with Father Jan’s family and the Father Jan Kaczkowski Foundation.

The film is distributed by NEXT FILM.

Co-financed by:

Cast: Dawid Ogrodnik, Piotr Trojan, Magdalena Czerwińska, Anna Dymna, Maria Pakulnis, Marta Stalmierska, Witold Dębicki, Michał Kaleta, Joachim Lamża

Directed by: Daniel Jaroszek

Screenplay: Maciej Kraszewski

Producer: Robert Kijak

Co-producers: TVN, Grupa Moderator Studio Filmowe, Warmia Resort, Dawid Podsiadło, Maciej Woć, Sebastian Kwiatkowski, Rafał Różański, Visual Work Rebel Media, Esmetric, Aneta Graff-Dąbrowska, Dreamsound, Cineline, Abstraction Plan, Maciej Kraszewski, Dobra Robota

Cinematography: Michał Dąbal PSC

Production design: Karolina Rączka

Costumes: Zofia Komasa

Make-up: Liliana Gałązka

Casting director: Konrad Bugaj

Editing: Maciej Kozłowski

Sound: Sebastian Brański, Wojciech Mielimąka, Marcin Kasiński

Music: Michał Kush

Production manager: Michał Lipski

Line producer: Anna Orska-Olszewska