Warsaw, 24 November 2025 – Polish cinema is entering a new era. SAVAGE, the latest work by Maciej Kawulski, the creator of such hits as “Kleks Academy” and “How I Became a Gangster. True Story”, goes down in the history of Polish cinematography as the first feature-length fiction film presented in IMAX. It is a groundbreaking event that transports viewers into the very heart of an epic tale with unprecedented immersion and quality.
IMAX – an unrivalled cinema experience
The IMAX format amplifies the immersive world of SAVAGE. The image is razor-sharp, with unmatched detail rendering every element – from the texture of the characters’ skin to the specks of snow on the mountain peaks. Enhanced contrast and brightness deliver deep, true blacks and more vivid, saturated colours that fully convey the majesty and rawness of the Carpathian landscapes. As a result, the viewer experiences a sense of vast space and perspective that fully captures the sweep and wildness of the mountain scenery, making you feel as if you were standing on the summit yourself.
Presenting SAVAGE in the IMAX format offers a cinema experience that heightens the film’s authenticity and emotional impact, underscored by the precisely tuned IMAX sound system, which surrounds the viewer and renders every nuance — from the quietest whisper to the mightiest bass.
In addition, every IMAX auditorium is individually calibrated for the screening, which guarantees faithful, optimal reproduction of image and sound, exactly as the filmmakers intended.
Tickets for the IMAX preview screenings go on sale on 28 November.
Large format – a philosophy of cinema
“Shooting on the ARRI ALEXA 65 was a natural choice for us, to capture the majesty of the Carpathians and the rawness of SAVAGE’s story at full scale. But it is in IMAX auditoriums that the experience reaches its zenith. It is there that the viewer can fully immerse themselves in this world, feel every detail and every emotion, surrounded by image and sound that carry them right into the centre of the action. It is precisely for this kind of cinematic experience that we made this film” – says director Maciej Kawulski.
SAVAGE is a milestone in Polish cinematography – the first film in Poland shot with the legendary ARRI ALEXA 65 large-format camera, which guarantees viewers an unrivalled visual experience. It is a film that simply has to be seen in the cinema. Large format is not just technology; it is a philosophy of filmmaking that puts authenticity first. It allows the viewer to be fully immersed in the world depicted, making them almost a participant in the events. In SAVAGE, the large format made it possible to capture every detail with breathtaking precision, from the majestic landscapes to the subtle nuances of emotion on the characters’ faces, creating an image of unrivalled depth and realism.
“SAVAGE is the first Polish film shot in the large format of the ARRI ALEXA 65 camera. Working with this format alone opened up a completely new way of looking at the image for us – it allowed us to capture space, light and the scale of nature with unprecedented precision. Shown in IMAX, this effect reaches its fullness – the image becomes truly monumental” – adds cinematographer Bartek Cierlica.
Story and cast
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 the people of the mountains alike. His fate becomes entwined with the brutal mission of an imperial inquisitor who, under the pretext of recovering stolen papal insignia, unleashes bloody vengeance. Against the backdrop of monumental mountains, a duel of two worlds is born – nature and civilisation, freedom and fanaticism, instinct and power.
The lead role is played by Tomasz Włosok (“Jak pokochałam gangstera”, “How I Became a Gangster. True Story”). Joining the cast are also outstanding actors: Leszek Lichota (“Znachor”, “Wataha”), Agata Buzek (“Niewinne”, “Iluzja”), Zofia Jastrzębska (“Kundel”, “Warszawianka”) and debutante Angelika Włoch.
The trailer for SAVAGE is now available
Viewers can finally see excerpts from one of the most anticipated Polish releases of the coming year. The trailer reveals not only spectacular locations and the epic scale of the production, but also further names in the cast. It can be watched on YouTube:
About the film:
Title: SAVAGE
Directed by: Maciej Kawulski
Screenplay: Rafał Lipski, Maciej Kawulski
Cast: Tomasz Włosok, Leszek Lichota, Agata Buzek, Zofia Jastrzębska, Angelika Włoch, Sebastian Dela, Maciej Kosiacki
Cinematography: Bartek Cierlica PSC
Distribution: NEXT FILM
IMAX preview screenings: 12-18 December 2025 (IMAX cinemas in the Helios and Cinema City networks)
Premiere: 1 January 2026
Stay up to date with SAVAGE:
www.openmindproduction.pl
IG @kawul_ksw
TIKTOK @i.am.kawul
Youtube @filmsopenmind
Media contact:
Lena Suszka
lenasuszka@gmail.com
+48 789 000 446
