15/11/2024 - The Polish filmmaker's fourth feature will revolve around a group of catholic altar servers, who aim to show justice to their neighbours from a housing estate

(© Łukasz Bąk)

Given the fact that the catholic church has been investigated for many accounts of misconduct and sexual abuse against children, one expects a newly announced Polish film titled Altar Boys to be precisely about that topic – but one would be mistaken. Based on a synopsis published by the film's local distributor, the latest and fourth feature directed by Piotr Domalewski (Silent Night [+see also:
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Domalewski, who also penned the script, is known for writing intimate, warm portraits of characters based on people he is close to, who are also full of a feeling of loss and abandonment. It’s more than likely that this film will follow such lead, since Domalewski was an altar boy himself for 12 years and grew up in a small town. His creative team includes his longtime collaborators, including DoP Piotr Sobocińsk Jr., editor Agnieszka Glińska (who has also worked on The Girl with the Needle [+see also:
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As Leszek Bodzak clarifies to Cineuropa, Altar Boys is for now a working title – it’s a literal translation of the original, Polish title Ministranci. The film is expected to be ready in 2025, and Polish distributor is Next Film. World sales are open.