3 January 2023 will mark the 30th anniversary of the first Grand Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. “Phenomenon” will hit the screens on 20 January to celebrate this occasion – it will be the first cinematic documentary about Jurek Owsiak and the history of the Orchestra. The film was produced by Dominika Kulczyk and her associated company, dFlights.
It is the first film where Jurek Owsiak – the founder of the Grand Orchestra of Christmas Charity – earnestly describes the idea behind the creation of the Orchestra and its difficult beginnings. He recalls the whole 30 years of the history of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, not avoiding such difficult issues as the brutal critique he had to face, or the death of the mayor of Gdańsk, Paweł Adamowicz, after which Jurek resigned from his post.
The documentary about the creator of the Grand Orchestra of Christmas Charity shows his transformation from a carefree hippie into the leader of an enormous civic movement and one of the most important symbols of free Poland. He also tells the story of how the Woodstock Festival was brought into Poland, becoming one of the largest music festivals in Europe.
– I decided to produce this film because, in my opinion, there are still not enough documentaries in Poland to show important figures whose life and attitude have had a significant impact on our reality. Jurek Owsiak is precisely such a figure. His energy has transformed Polish hospitals, saving tens of thousands of human lives. I believe it will be the highlight to celebrate the last 30 years – says Dominika Kulczyk, the main producer of the film.
“Phenomenon”, however, is more than just the story of the most well-known public initiative in Poland. The filmmakers used the 30-year history of WOŚP to show the great transformations occurring in society in that period. The responses to the actions of Jurek Owsiak – from the unprecedented enthusiasm to the undermining of his work – reflect our own attitudes and the great divide that has appeared between us in recent years.
“Phenomenon” will hit the screens in Poland on 20 January 2023. Its premiere will coincide with the anniversary of the first Grand Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity and the approaching edition of the event. “Phenomenon” was directed by Małgorzata Kowalczyk. The film was produced by Dominika Kulczyk and her associated company, dFlights.
It was made with the financial support awarded by the Polish Film Institute using the funds of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage under the act on financial support for audio-visual productions.