A red carpet, emotions and a story that provokes reflection. The Helios cinema in Warsaw hosted the gala premiere of “The Altar Boys”, directed by Piotr Domalewski – the maker of the award-winning “Cicha noc”, from the producers of “Boże Ciało”. It is a story about young people who, in the name of justice, decide to break the rules, setting out on a dangerous path of rebellion. The film provokes discussion – a debate inspired by the production, on the condition of the Church and what it can offer young people, featured Fr Michał Legan OSPPE, Tomasz Terlikowski and Dominika Wielowieyska.
An evening full of emotion and cinematic courage
The premiere was attended by the filmmakers, the cast and numerous guests from the worlds of culture and media. The stars included the film’s altar boys – Tobiasz Wajda, Bruno Błach-Baar, and Mikołaj and Filip Juszczyk – as well as Kamila Urzędowska and Artur Paczesny. The filmmakers stressed that “The Altar Boys” is cinema that is not afraid to ask difficult questions about religion, community, guilt and redemption – but does so without moralising, with energy and an authentic message.
A film that asks questions instead of giving answers
A group of teenage altar boys, frustrated by the indifference of adults and the institution of the Church to social injustice, decides to implement its own plan of moral renewal. They plant a listening device in a confessional to learn their neighbours’ sins and mete out justice on their own terms. The mission quickly turns into a dangerous game in which the line between good and evil grows ever thinner.
Balancing between drama and black humour, the film was the biggest winner of the Polish Film Festival in Gdynia, where it received the Golden Lions and the Audience Award.
“The Altar Boys” is produced by Aurum Film — the studio known for titles such as “Boże Ciało”, “Ostatnia rodzina” and “Kos”. The title roles are played by young debut actors: Tobiasz Wajda, Bruno Błach-Baar and the brothers Mikołaj and Filip Juszczyk. They are joined on screen by stars of Polish cinema well known to audiences: Kamila Urzędowska, Tomasz Schuchardt, Sławomir Orzechowski and Artur Paczesny.
The film was made in co-production with the Mazowiecki Instytut Kultury and the Mazowiecki i Warszawski Fundusz Filmowy, with the support of the Polish Film Institute.
The film’s Polish distributor is NEXT FILM.
Premiere on 21 November. Only in cinemas.
DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE FILM
Premiere: 21.11.2025
Directed by: Piotr Domalewski
Screenplay: Piotr Domalewski
Cinematography: Piotr Sobociński Jr.
Editing: Agnieszka Glińska
Production design: Jagna Dobesz
Costumes: Aleksandra Staszko
Make-up: Daria Siejak
Music: Wojciech Urbański
Sound: Jerzy Murawski, Wojciech Mielimąka
Casting director: Nadia Lebik
Producers: Leszek Bodzak, Aneta Hickinbotham, Piotr Walter, Jarosław Jakubiec
Production: Aurum Film
Production manager: Marta Kapczyńska-Czwartosz
Co-production: Mazowiecki Instytut Kultury, Mazowiecki i Warszawski Fundusz Filmowy
Co-financing: Polish Film Institute, Mazowieckie Voivodeship, the Capital City of Warsaw
Distribution in Poland: NEXT FILM
Cast: Tobiasz Wajda (Filip), Bruno Błach-Baar (Gucci), Mikołaj Juszczyk (Kurczak), Filip Juszczyk (Mały Kurczak), Daria Kalinchuk (Dominika), Kamila Urzędowska (Filip’s mother), Tomasz Schuchardt (retreat priest), Sławomir Orzechowski (parish priest), Artur Paczesny (Dominika’s father)
Author: Joanna Jakubik
