Two films distributed by NEXT FILM – ‘Ministrants’ (produced by Aurum Film, directed by Piotr Domalewski) and ‘Wielka Warszawska’ (produced by MTL Maxfilm, directed by Bartłomiej Ignaciuk) are in the Main Competition of the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia. Both titles will be presented at the festival as premieres.
ALTAR BOYS KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE ON YOUR CONSCIENCE
“The Altar Boys”, a new film by Piotr Domalewski (“Silent Night”, “As Far As I Can Tell”, “Sexify”), is a contemporary story about growing up without censorship: youth, faith and rebellion clashing with the reality in which the line between sin and righteousness gets very thin.
A group of teenage altar boys, frustrated by the indifferent attitude of adults and the institutions of the Church towards social injustice, decide to implement their own unusual plan for moral renewal. Armed with youthful rebellion and their own interpretation of Scripture, they set up a bug… in the confessional to get to know their neighbours better. Masked like Zorro and with Robin Hood-like ambitions, they become judges in their neighbourhood world, helping those in need and meting out punishment for sins. However, their mission turns into a dangerous game and the boys, applying their own idealistic code of honour, begin to balance on the thin line between good and evil. Real block life is mixed with a mission straight out of superhero comics, but instead of capes, the heroes wear cameos.
Aurum Film – a studio known for titles such as ‘Corpus Christi’, ‘The Last Family’ and ‘Kos’ – is responsible for the production. The roles of the titular ‘ altar boys’ are played by young, debuting actors: Tobiasz Wajda, Bruno Błach-Baar and the brothers Mikołaj and Filip Juszczyk. On screen, they are partnered by Polish film stars well known to the audience: Kamila Urzędowska, Tomasz Schuchardt, Sławomir Orzechowski and Artur Paczesny. The Polish distributor of the film is NEXT FILM. Premiere 21 November 2025.
‘GREAT WARSAW’: SPORT, LOVE AND GAMBLING
“Wielka Warszawska” is the story of a young jockey dreaming of a sporting career. The culmination of these dreams is participation in the most important race in Poland – the Great Warsaw Race. The main character – Krzysiek – enters the horse racing environment with the naivety of a novice and an enthusiast. Only after some time does he realise that racing is a network of dependencies, powerful interests and manipulation of results. The boy believes he can change this, especially as the country stands on the brink of great change. The fall of communism offers hope that the future will only get better and the rules brighter. However, in a world of corruption and foul play, it is hard to remain flawless. Will Krzysiek manage to resist big money and a fast career? How much is he willing to sacrifice to shatter the prevailing system?
“Wielka Warszawska” is a gripping story about sport, the mafia and the fight for dreams set in the turbulent early 1990s. A sensational, realised spectacle set in the world of horse racing. The film is the culmination of a trilogy by Jan Purzycki, which, in addition to ‘Wielka Warszawska’, includes the already cult productions ‘Wielki Szu’ and ‘Piłkarski poker’.
The unusual project has attracted leading Polish filmmakers to collaborate. In ‘Wielka Warszawska’ we will see, among others, Tomasz Ziętek, Marcin Bosak, Tomasz Kot, Agnieszka Żulewska and IreneuszCzop. The film will also feature Mary Pawłowska, for whom this is her debut on the big screen. Bartłomiej Ignaciuk is responsible for directing and adapting the script. The producer is Alicja Grawon-Jaksik of MTL Maxfilm, the distributor is NEXT FILM. The film is scheduled for release on 23 January 2026.
For more information about the films:
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MEDIA CONTACT:
“Ministers:
Joanna Jakubik
joanna.jakubik@next-film.pl
514 793 494
“Great Warsaw:
Aleksandra Misiak
Aleksandra.misiak@next-film.pl
668 050 051
www.next-film.pl
youtube.com/nextfilmpl
facebook.com/nextfilmpl
