Polish cinema is moving to a whole new level. “Savage”, directed by Maciej Kawulski, is the first Polish film shot in large format. In cinemas from 1 January 2026, the latest action film by Maciej Kawulski – the creator of such hits as “Kleks Academy” and “How I Became a Gangster. True Story” – is a production the likes of which our country has never seen. The premiere is set for 1 January 2026, with preview screenings as early as December 2025. The film is distributed by NEXT FILM.
The story of “SAVAGE” transports viewers to a world where myth intertwines with history – the mysterious, majestic Carpathians of the 17th century. At the centre of the tale stands a half-wild, mute warrior – raised by animals and by the people of the mountains alike. His fate becomes entangled with the brutal mission of an imperial inquisitor who, under the pretext of recovering stolen papal insignia, unleashes a bloody vengeance. Against the backdrop of monumental mountains, a duel between two worlds is born – nature and civilisation, freedom and fanaticism, instinct and power.
This is the first film in the history of Polish cinema shot in large format using the ARRI ALEXA 65 camera – the legendary format used by the makers of global blockbusters such as “The Revenant”, “Barbie” and “Dune: Part Two”. Only a few dozen of these cameras exist in the world. Its enormous sensor – three times larger than the standard Super 35 format – and 6K resolution deliver spectacular depth of image, exceptional visual texture and a level of detail never before seen in Polish productions. The cinematographer is Bartek Cierlica (“Kleks Academy”, “Jak pokochałam gangstera”).
– The ALEXA 65 makes it possible to capture nature in its full scale and power – with incredible detail, depth of image and a cinematic breath that is hard to achieve by other means. We wanted the wildness, solitude and force of nature to be not merely a backdrop, but a fully fledged protagonist of the film. This tool gave us the chance to tell this story in a way that is visually stirring and true – says director Maciej Kawulski.
The lead role is played by Tomasz Włosok (“Jak pokochałam gangstera”, “How I Became a Gangster. True Story”). This time the actor takes on a challenge that demands absolute precision and courage – his character does not speak, and all of his expression rests on physicality, facial expression and gaze. – Building a mute role is a challenge. On the one hand, voice and words help in creating a character, so their absence can be something of a limitation. On the other, it opens up space for more intense work with the body, gesture and facial expression, and it forces greater creativity in conveying emotions. – admits Tomasz Włosok.
“SAVAGE” is a film that opens a new chapter in Polish cinema – both technologically and narratively. It is a production that simply must be seen in a cinema to fully experience the power of the image in a quality that Poles have so far known only from the biggest Hollywood spectacles.
Theatrical release: 1 January 2026
Distribution: NEXT FILM
Author: Joanna Jakubik
