Shooting has begun on “Kulej” (working title), a biographical film directed by Xawery Żuławski about one of the greatest Polish boxers of all time and an outstanding athlete of the 20th century – Jerzy Kulej. The latest Watchout Studio production stars Tomasz Włosok and Michalina Olszańska, with Andrzej Chyra and Tomasz Kot in the other roles.

Filming started at the beginning of October, and work on the project has been under way since 2019. Watchout Studio – the company behind the big-screen stories of Zbigniew Religa and Michalina Wisłocka, “Gods” and “The Art of Loving: Story of Michalina Wislocka”, as well as “The Coldest Game” starring Bill Pullman, set in the communist era – has taken on the challenge of telling the story of Jerzy Kulej’s life and career. It is the story of a boxing legend, a two-time European champion and eight-time Polish champion, who was never knocked down and remains the only Pole to have won two Olympic golds. The film hits cinemas in autumn 2024.

“Kulej” will focus on the period between 1964 and 1968, when Jerzy Kulej won gold at the Tokyo Olympics and then repeated the feat in Mexico. It is a multi-layered story of an athlete, his triumphs in the ring and the colour of the era, but also a tale of the turbulent marriage of the Kulejs, which was the foundation of Jerzy’s success. The filmmakers will show the private challenges the boxer had to overcome to reach the heights of his sporting career.

The lead role is played by Tomasz Włosok, who impressed the director with his dedication and determination in preparing for this extraordinary, demanding part. The actor, who has trained in kickboxing for years, stepped up his boxing training for months and attended movement choreography and dance classes to better recreate the fighting style of a bygone era. Especially for this role, under the watchful eye of dieticians and trainers, he transformed himself beyond recognition.

Michalina Olszańska plays Helena Kulej, Jerzy’s wife. Andrzej Chyra plays the coach of the Polish national team – another legend of the boxing world, Feliks “Papa” Stamm. Tomasz Kot appears as a colonel, the head of the Gwardia sports club.

The film is directed by Xawery Żuławski (“Odwilż”, “Apokawixa”, “Krew z krwi”, “Mowa ptaków”, “Wojna polska-ruska”, the series “Pitbul”). Together with Rafał Lipski, he is also the author of the screenplay. Cinematography is by Marian Prokop (“Miasto’44”, “Listy do M.”, “Wojna polsko-ruska”).

– A film about Jerzy Kulej is a dream come true for me – the dream of making a production rooted in the 1960s. It was then, amid the sad, grey reality of that bygone period, that real people, full of emotion and colour, formed a vital part of society. The Kulejs stood out among them – Jerzy and Helena, embodying great love, the world of boxing, rock’n’roll, two Olympic Games, and the fascinating flirtation of sport with the politics and underworld of those times. All of this, in my view, is the essence of good cinema – says Xawery Żuławski about the film.

 

Audiences can prepare for an unforgettable spectacle on the big screen. The film opens in cinemas in October 2024.

 

KULEJ (working title)

 

Directed by: Xawery Żuławski
Screenplay: Xawery Żuławski, Rafał Lipski GSP
Cinematography: Marian Prokop
Music: Jan Komar
Production design: Marta Skajnowska
Costumes: Anna Englert
Make-up: Agnieszka Hodowana
Sound: Jarosław Bajdowski
Editing: Wojtek Włodarski PSM
Casting director: Marta Kownacka PCDG
Producer: Krzysztof Terej
Production: Watchout Studio
Production manager: Dagmara Bagnecka
Co-financed by: Polish Film Institute
Distribution in Poland: NEXT FILM

 

Cast: Tomasz Włosok, Michalina Olszańska, Tomasz Kot, Andrzej Chyra