PHENOMENON

In the crisis-stricken Poland in the early 1990s Jurek Owsiak, a controversial TV star, is moved with a public request from two doctors who need money to treat children. Owsiak comes up with a fundraiser – The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity – which becomes a long-lasting phenomenon and the largest charity action in the Eastern Block. While observing the success of Owsiak’s undertakings, we accompany Poland in its transformation. Owsiak is both ordinary man and a superhero. We see him transform from a carefree hippie to a symbol of charity, a leader of massive movement, not expecting that he will unintentionally find himself at the center of a political conflict. The film shows the direct link between inflammatory speech and violent acts. But it also brings hope for a better future.

MALGORZATA KOWALCZYK
Graduated from Warsaw University. Worked for TVN24 and TVN, In 2019 started working on documentary projects, spending time in Dublin and London. Then worked for ZS2 Media Group in Paris. In 2020 made a short documentary “Warm for Winter”.