INFORMATION PORTAL OF THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE KUJAWSKO-POMORSKIE Region IN TORUŃ

The patron of Krzysztof Zanussi’s latest film “Całopalenie” is the Film Fund Kujawy Pomorze. Part of the filming is taking place in our region. During a press conference attended, among others, by Vice Marshal Zbigniew Ostrowski and the distinguished director himself, details of the production were revealed.

Vice Marshal Zbigniew Ostrowski did not hide his pride in cooperating with the acclaimed filmmaker.

“I understand the weight, value, and meaning of words, so I consciously use the word admiration at this moment. I am delighted that Mr. Krzysztof Zanussi chose our region as the setting for his latest work. We are allocating modest resources from our Film Fund Kujawy Pomorze for the creation of this film. My admiration stems from the fact that supporting ‘Całopalenie’ fully reflects my expectations and my vision of promoting the region through this initiative. We support high-quality cinema of the highest caliber, because I believe that the Film Fund, which is also intended to promote our region, will have a much stronger impact if we support outstanding works.”

Krzysztof Zanussi emphasized the tremendous support provided by the Film Fund Kujawy Pomorze, as well as regional and municipal institutions.

“We are deeply grateful for the warmth and kindness we have encountered on all fronts. The goodwill and culture we have experienced – simply human kindness – have truly touched all of us, and we thank you sincerely for it. I do not want to talk too much about the film itself, because one never knows what it will ultimately become. I do not want to make any promises. Filmmaking is always a kind of game that ends unexpectedly. For now, we are completing the film convinced that you have helped us greatly and that thanks to you this film is possible.”

Scenes for “Całopalenie” were filmed in the center of Toruń, at the airport, and in the municipality of Zławieś Wielka. The film crew had previously worked in Warsaw and will move to Bulgaria in June for the next stage of production. In this film, the director returns to themes that have long defined his artistic identity: questions about spirituality, divine intervention, and the limits of human agency.

“Krzysztof Zanussi’s latest film refers to existential dilemmas characteristic of the director’s entire body of work.”

“Marketing strategy says not to reveal too much information, because the film may turn out better than we expect. One never knows,” says Krzysztof Zanussi. “Without false modesty, after so many years in this extraordinary profession, I can confirm that every work has its own autonomy and lives its own life. Before filming is completed, I cannot truly say what this film will ultimately be about. It depends on the proportions that emerge between the characters. Certainly, it is a film about the universal human longing for a better world, for some kind of ideal, and about how we waste those feelings by becoming distracted by earthly, material matters, which are very important but do not exhaust the whole of reality. So this should touch on metaphysics, but whether it succeeds—I can only say that I am trying, not promise it.”

The film revolves around the story of three protagonists. Their lives intertwine in strange and entirely inexplicable ways, and their relationships force reflection on how much influence we truly have over our own lives and how much is guided by a higher power.

One of the leading roles is played by Ksawery Szlenkier, who describes his character as follows:

“My character’s name is Paweł, and he represents a generation of people in their thirties who have, in theory, put their lives in order – but can they honestly say they are happy? That is what my character is trying to discover. Where is the meaning of his life? What still awaits him? Is it only about earning more money or buying a better car, or perhaps something more? Maybe the meaning lies somewhere else entirely. Everything appears organized, but why am I organizing all of this? What am I striving for? Where do I want to be as an older man? Do I want to be surrounded by family, or alone? Am I here to love another person, or only to consume? All these questions continue to echo in my character’s mind. Then Zofia appears in his life, and those questions become even more pressing and vivid. It turns out that Zofia is also full of similar doubts. Now everything depends on the decision they make. And what that decision will be – I obviously will not reveal.”

Krzysztof Zanussi invited well-known actors of the younger and middle generations to join the production. The cast includes, among others, Ksawery Szlenkier, Karolina Kominek, Mateusz Rusin, Marcin Hycnar, Bartłomiej Kotschedoff, Michał Czarnik, Mateusz Więcławek, and Maria Mamona.

The meeting was also attended by Piotr Niemyjski, cinematographer of “Całopalenie.”

“I am impressed by how Toruń looks in the summer. I regret that we are not staying here longer and filming in more locations. Toruń is wonderful – not only because of its compact and coherent architecture, but also because of its people and atmosphere. It is truly unique. We are met with kindness from both extras and people whom we occasionally ask to stop traffic or interrupt work for a moment. Interestingly, the weather has also been favorable to us here. When we need rain, it rains, and when we need sunshine, the sun comes out. I am only sad that we will be here for such a short time, but I hope we will return.”

“Całopalenie” is an international co-production produced by the Documentary and Feature Film Studios (WFDiF) with the participation of foreign partners: RFF International from Bulgaria and Revolver Produzione from Italy. The project is co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, supported by funds from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, and co-financed by European Funds and the budget of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region under the Film Fund Kujawy Pomorze.

Also present at the press conference was Agnieszka Będkowska, Director of the Documentary and Feature Film Studios, who recalled the long-standing cooperation with our Film Fund.

“This is another production we are creating together, and I am very happy that we are once again in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region. The last time we were here was with Janusz Majewski’s film ‘Ekscentrycy’, and we remember the cooperation and support from the region very fondly. We are very pleased to be making a film here because it has enormous significance. I am deeply grateful that we can cooperate once again. I believe this partnership is worth continuing.”

This is Krzysztof Zanussi’s third production in our region. In 1983, he filmed “A Year of the Quiet Sun” in Toruń and Grudziądz – a story of love between a Polish woman and an American soldier set in the difficult realities of post-war Poland. The film became the director’s greatest artistic success, winning the Golden Lion of St. Mark at the Venice Film Festival. Earlier, in 1972, the director shot the lesser-known “Hypothesis” in Toruń, starring Jerzy Zelnik and Stanisława Celińska, with a story set at the beginning of the twentieth century.

The director is also a recipient of the Marshal’s Film Award named after Pola Negri.

Department of Promotion

May 22, 2026