At the XXIII Summer Olympics in Paris, there was a special preview of the film “Kulej. All That Glitters Isn’t Gold,” directed by Xawery Zulawski (prod. Watchout Studio). Jerzy Kulej won gold medals at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the 1968 Mexico City Games. Now his story has been presented at the Maison Polonaise of the Polish Olympic Committee. We present a photo report from the event.
The filmmakers – director and screenwriter Xawery Zulawski, producer Krzysztof Terej, actors Tomasz Włosok and Andrzej Chyra and Waldemar Kulej, Jerzy’s son and also the initiator of the film – came to the Maison Polonaise, a place created for the Polish Olympic team, the media and the biggest sports fans. The filmmakers were welcomed on stage by Radoslaw Piesiewicz, president of the Polish Olympic Committee.
Here are the voices of the first viewers:
– What I really liked about the film was how it shows the two sides of each athlete – preparation and professionalism, but also challenges. It was amazingly shown how from different sides the athlete had to fight the challenges he had in life. The film shows that no matter what situation we are in, we can climb to the highest level.
– The whole film is probably the first time that Olympic boxing is shown in such a way. I’m sure it will make a great impression on all fans of the sport.
– I know the figure of Jerzy Kulej, but I didn’t know the story of his life. I didn’t expect that it was so interesting, set in the tough 1960s, politically charged. Full credit to the actors and director for portraying such difficult sports scenes so realistically.
“Kulej. All That Glitters Isn’t Gold” has received honorary patronage from the Ministry of Sports and Tourism and the Polish Olympic Committee.
ABOUT THE FILM
“Kulej. All That Glitters Isn’t Gold” is the story of Jerzy and Helena Kulej – the most colorful marriage of Poland in the 1960s. He – a legendary boxer, double European champion and eight-time Polish champion, who was the only Polish boxer to win two Olympic golds, and although he never lay on the boards, he fell more than once in his life. She – a strong woman who invariably stood by his side, but did not want to forever remain in his shadow.
“Kulej. Two Sides of a Medal” focuses on the period between 1964 and 1968, when Jerzy Kulej won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, to then repeat the feat in Mexico. It is a multi-dimensional story of the athlete, his triumphs in the ring, the color of the era, but also the story of the turbulent fate of the Kulej marriage, in which great love was put to the test in dealing with great success.
The role of Jerzy Kulej is played by Tomasz Włosok, Helena is played by Michalina Olszanska. Andrzej Chyra plays the coach of the Polish national team – another celebrity of the boxing world, Felix “Papa” Stamm. Tomasz Kot plays the role of the Colonel, head of the Gwardia sports club. Other roles include Bartosz Gelner, Konrad Eleryk and Monika Mikolajczak.
Xawery Zulawski is responsible for directing, together with Rafal Lipski he also wrote the screenplay. Among the filmmakers are the biggest names in the Polish film industry, including Marian Prokop (cinematography), Anna Englert (costumes), Jan Komar, Mikołaj Majkusiak (music), Agnieszka Hodowana (make-up) The producer is Krzysztof Terej, Watchout Studio (“Gods,” “The Art of Loving. The Story of Michalina Wisłocka”).
Distribution in Poland is handled by NEXT FILM.
The film will enter theaters on October 11, 2024. Before that, it will take part in the Main Competition of the 49th Polish Feature Film Festival in Gdynia (September 23-28).
The film was produced in Poland with financial support under the Act on Financial Support for Audiovisual Production, granted by the Polish Film Institute from funds of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
The film’s website: https://next-film.pl/film/kulej/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kulej.dwiestronymedalu
Instagram: @kulej.dwastronymedalu
KULEJ. ALL THAT GLITTERS ISN’T GOLD
Directed by: Xawery Zulawski
Screenplay: Rafał Lipski, Xawery Żuławski
Cinematography: Marian Prokop PSC
Music: Jan Komar, Mikołaj Majkusiak
Set design: Marta Skajnowska
Costumes: Anna Englert
Characterization: Agnieszka Hodowana
Sound: Mateusz Adamczyk, Jarosław “Bodo” Bajdowski, Sebastian Witkowski
Editing: Wojtek Włodarski PSM
Cast Director: Marta Kownacka PCDG
Director of dance scenes: Maciej Zakliczynski
Fight director, stunt coordination: Tomasz Krzemieniecki
Producer: Krzysztof Terej
Production: Watchout Studio
Production Manager: Dagmara Bagnecka
Virtual production: ATM Virtual
Virtual production: Veles Productions
Veles Producer: Paweł Stawiński
Veles Producer: Artur Paprocki
Co-financed by: Polish Film Institute
Co-production of the film: ATM Virtual Radoslaw Bardes, Andrzej Mlynarczyk
Film co-production: Veles Productions
Film co-production: Systemics New
Distribution in Poland: NEXT FILM
Starring: Tomasz Włosok, Michalina Olszańska, Tomasz Kot, Andrzej Chyra, Bartosz Gelner, Konrad Eleryk, Monika Mikołajczak