Pawlak and Kargul back on the big screen! Watch the teaser for “Our Folks: The Beginning”

It is the most famous neighbourly feud in Polish cinema – Pawlak versus Kargul. Who started it? What are the origins of the story that amused Poles for years? We will find out in “Our Folks: The Beginning”. The prequel to the cult trilogy is directed by Artur Żmijewski. Adam Bobik and Karol Dziuba star as Kazimierz Pawlak and Władysław Kargul. The film opens in cinemas on 16 February 2024. Here is the first teaser for the comedy.

In this part of the story of the two families, we go back to the childhood and youth of the beloved characters – we will learn about the events that took place before they moved to the new, post-war Poland. This chapter of the tale was actually meant to be made first, but the political circumstances of the 1960s were not favourable. – No one would have allowed the production of a film that portrayed the fraternal Soviet nation in a negative, somewhat mocking way – says Tomasz Kubski, the film’s producer.

The screenplay for “Our Folks: The Beginning” (based on the book “Każdy żyje jak umie”), like that of every other part of the saga, was written by Andrzej Mularczyk. In writing it, he drew inspiration from real events and the history of his own family. The character of Kazimierz Pawlak was modelled on his uncle.

– I want this to be a completely new, universal story about us, just as we are in everyday life, with all our flaws and virtues. Regardless of where we live! – says Artur Żmijewski, who this time takes on the role of the film’s director.

Alongside Adam Bobik and Karol Dziuba, the cast includes Paulina Gałązka, Weronika Humaj, Zbigniew Zamachowski, Katarzyna Krzanowska, Mirosław Baka, Wojtek Malajkat, Anna Dymna, Janusz Chabior and Adam Ferency.

The cinematographer on “Our Folks: The Beginning” is Piotr Śliskowski. Costumes are by Emilia Czartoryska, make-up by Pola Guźlińska, and production design by Ryszard Melliwa and Marcin Dyakowski. Krzysztof Łojan is the film’s executive producer. Radosława Burdzy is responsible for set decoration. Jarosław Barzan is the film’s editor, and Paweł Lucewicz will compose the music. The film is produced by Tomasz Kubski and Mikołaj Fajks of the CK Dezerterzy studio. The co-producers are TVN Warner Bros. Discovery, NEXT FILM and Sanit Trans. The Świętokrzyskie Province, where most of the filming took place (the Museum of the Kielce Village, Święty Krzyż), is a partner of the production. NEXT FILM is handling distribution.

OUR FOLKS: THE BEGINNING

Genre: comedy, drama

Pawlak and Kargul – the heroes of the cult “Sami swoi” trilogy – were neighbours in a village in the Eastern Borderlands, in present-day Ukraine, before they settled in the Recovered Territories. And even then, theirs was an explosive neighbourhood… “Our Folks: The Beginning” is a colourful tale in which petty squabbles intertwine with life’s milestones. Strong-willed characters, combined with great history in the background, will take viewers on a sentimental yet gripping and humour-filled journey.

Cast: Adam Bobik (Kazimierz Pawlak), Karol Dziuba (Władysław Kargul), Paulina Gałązka (Nechajka Słobodzian), Weronika Humaj (Mania Ziębicka), Zbigniew Zamachowski (Kacper Pawlak), Katarzyna Krzanowska (Maryjka Pawlak), Mirosław Baka (Ziębicki), Wojtek Malajkat (the Priest), Anna Dymna (Pecynicha), Janusz Chabior (Wincenty Kargul), Adam Ferency (Uncle Pecyn), Agnieszka Suchora (Ziębicka)

Directed by: Artur Żmijewski

Cinematography: Piotr Śliskowski

Screenplay: Andrzej Mularczyk