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

Maciej Hydra’s dark comedy was produced with the support of the Kujawy Pomorze Film Fund. The premiere, attended by actors and the filmmakers, took place on April 8 at the CKK Jordanki in Toruń.

According to the director, the film is a “chamber crime story in a retro style” set in the late 1970s. The plot revolves around the mysterious murder of an audience member during a philharmonic concert. Everyone present—the conductor, musicians, and organizers—becomes a suspect. The investigator uncovers a complex web of relationships, ambitions, and hidden conflicts, revealing jealousy, rivalry, and old grudges. Filming took place mainly in Bydgoszcz, including the Pomeranian Philharmonic, Polish Radio PiK, and Kazimierz Wielki Park.

Maciej Hydra, who wrote and directed the film, said at the Toruń premiere that his inspiration came from a real crime:

“About 20 years ago, a Norwegian double bassist shot his violinist wife simply because she was more popular than him. He was convicted, justice was served, and that incident sparked the idea for the screenplay.”

This is Hydra’s second film, following his debut Radiostory. He emphasized that Murder at the Philharmonic was made on a relatively small budget and edited just before the premiere. The last pickups were filmed as late as March 31. Choosing Bydgoszcz as the filming location proved to be a perfect decision, he said, noting that in Warsaw he would not have had the same opportunities.

“It wasn’t a matter of a crew coming from Warsaw, shooting three scenes in Bydgoszcz, and leaving. In Bydgoszcz, we had offices, accommodation, and full logistics—everything needed for production.”

Hydra thanked the Pomeranian Philharmonic management for their hospitality. While interior filming was planned for four days, the actual time was extended “by several hundred percent.”

The lead roles feature stars of Polish cinema: Jarosław Boberek, Piotr Głowacki, and Aleksandra Hamkało. Boberek, playing the experienced investigator Captain Wróbel, is almost constantly on screen.

“Captain Wróbel is an old hand and knows his job perfectly. It’s no coincidence he leads this investigation—he’s always been effective. I thought of him as having a certain charisma and strength,” Boberek said at the premiere.

Boberek has played police officers many times—he became famous as a policeman in Rodzina zastępcza—but this is his first role as a Milicja officer. Captain Wróbel wears a distinctive trench coat made by the Bydgoszcz tailoring studio Derred, which inevitably evokes comparisons to the famous TV detective Columbo. Boberek, however, rejected this comparison.

Music plays a key role in the philharmonic setting. Arrangements were created by Bydgoszcz multi-instrumentalist Józef Eliasz, who appears on screen with his band as part of the symphony orchestra. Audiences will hear symphonic and jazz arrangements, including works by Chopin and a song composed by Hydra himself. Another regional touch is the stained glass from Toruń-based Intek-Art, visible on screen.

Murder at the Philharmonic is aimed at fans of classic detective cinema who enjoy traditional mysteries. The production was supported by the Marshal’s Kujawy Pomorze Film Fund, co-financed with European Funds.

“This isn’t the first production we’ve supported. Many outstanding works have already highlighted our region as film-friendly, and we are very proud of them,” said Marshal Piotr Całbecki. “I hope this film will also win the hearts of millions. We keep our fingers crossed for its success at festivals.”

Department of Promotion

April 9, 2026