Instead of grammar – aleliminacja, and in place of arithmetic – calculations on freckles. This time it is not Adaś but Ada who begins her education at the most fairy-tale Academy in the world. In this new version of Jan Brzechwa’s novel, only Mr Kleks is still just as we know him: surprising, full of warmth and humour. “Kleks. Nowy początek” (“Kleks. A New Beginning”) – a book based on “Kleks Academy”, the film directed by Maciej Kawulski – arrives in bookstores on 6 December.

This was not how her birthday was supposed to go! Ada Niezgódka is counting on a surprise party; instead, she is visited by a strange talking bird, which, on top of everything, hands her a mysterious invitation. Thanks to it, Ada is transported to the Academy, whose headmaster is the legendary Professor Ambroży Kleks. In this magical place, the girl discovers her talent for solving problems – supposedly unsolvable ones. She also makes new friends, whom she will have to protect from great danger.

Not Adaś, but Ada. An Academy attended no longer only by boys, but by girls too – from Poland and from all over the world. In this modernised version of the iconic story about the most fairy-tale of schools, only Mr Kleks has not changed at all: he remains a surprising friend of children, animals and magical creatures, full of warmth and an extraordinary sense of humour. The novel, written on the basis of the screenplay of “Kleks Academy”, directed by Maciej Kawulski, will sweep you away once more into the magical world created by Jan Brzechwa. Impatient viewers can expect a Christmas present – the first preview screenings of “Kleks Academy” start as early as 25 December!

In the new adaptation of Jan Brzechwa’s tale, the lead role of Ada Niezgódka is played by Antonina Litwiniak. Tomasz Kot steps into the role of Ambroży Kleks, anointed as his successor by Piotr Fronczewski himself. Danuta Stenka and Agnieszka Grochowska, among others, also appear on screen.

Pre-orders for “Kleks. Nowy początek” opened on 10 November – the book can already be ordered on empik.com and kulturalnysklep.pl. The book will also be released as an ebook and audiobook on publio.pl.

AN EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK:

– What is Mr Kleks’s Academy? – asked Ada, surprising not only her mum but, above all, herself.

– I thought I still had a little more time – her mum said pensively. Ada waited anxiously. – Mateusz the bird visited you, didn’t he?

Mateusz the bird… That’s a good one!

– Not a bird, just some guy who thinks he’s a bird – she corrected.

But Anna paid no attention to either the tone or the words. She immersed herself in her memories.

– Your dad and I studied at the Academy. That’s where we met and fell in love…

– Mum! – Ada cut in. – You’re not writing a fairy tale, you’re talking to me. I’m grown up now!

– You are the daughter of the great master Aleks Niezgódka. – Anna would not let herself be interrupted. – You have great power. And now the Academy is calling you.

PRAISE FOR THE NOVEL:

A lot has changed at the Academy. New pupils (girls now, too!), even more amazing lessons, and the professor himself seems somehow younger. Fortunately, what remains unchanged is imagination, which has great power, and magic, thanks to which the famous school is still the most extraordinary place in the world of fairy tales. Here is a new Kleks for new times!

– Piotr Fronczewski

 

Lessons in empathy, harmony or aleliminacja should be taught in every school. I invite you to Mr Kleks’s Academy, where the teacher is a friend and you must never be afraid of your dreams!

– Tomasz Kot

 

ABOUT THE FILM KLEKS ACADEMY

“Kleks Academy” is a modernised version of Brzechwa’s classic tale – one that speaks to the youngest audiences through its content and form, while also engaging older viewers who still remember the cult screen adaptation of the 1980s. The film tells the story of a seemingly ordinary girl – Ada Niezgódka – who finds her way to the titular Academy to discover the world of fairy tales, imagination and creativity. With the help of the brilliant and eccentric educator Professor Ambroży Kleks, she develops her amazing abilities and stumbles upon a trail that will help her unravel her family’s greatest secret…

Starring: Tomasz Kot (Ambroży Kleks), Antonina Litwiniak (Ada), Piotr Fronczewski (the Doctor), Danuta Stenka, Agnieszka Grochowska

Directed by: Maciej Kawulski

Screenplay: Krzysztof Gureczny, Agnieszka Kruk

Cinematography: Bartłomiej Cierlica

Producers: Maciej Kawulski, Tomasz Wardyn

Production: Open Mind Production

Co-production: Grzegorz Pietraszewski, Planeta Jublama, Mazowiecki i Warszawski Fundusz Filmowy, NEXT FILM, IBRA, Błażej Hermanowicz, JAKE VISION, SANCRUZ, Platinium Towers Management, Flame Natalia Siwiec

Co-financed by: Polish Film Institute

Film partners: InPost, the City of Katowice, LEGO

Official carrier: LOT Polish Airlines

Charity partners: Omena Mensah Foundation, Rafał Brzoska Foundation

Community partner: Avalon Foundation

Distribution: NEXT FILM

 

PRESS CONTACT FOR THE FILM:

Aleksandra Misiak
aleksandra.misiak@next-film.pl
tel. 668 050051