This article opens Harbingers’ Film & Book Club, an initiative by 18 young journalists from the 2SLO school in Warsaw.

One of the major arteries in the centre of Warsaw was closed last month to serve as a filming location for Lalka, an adaptation of the much-loved 19th-century Polish novel and the largest film production currently being shot in Poland. 

Approximately a third of Krakowskie Przedmieście, an avenue in the historic part of the capital, was closed from 9 to 22 October to accommodate the film set. The area was transformed into the style of the 19th century, reopening to passersby after filming had finished each day.

Harbingers’ Magazine was invited to the closed set, filled with extras and horses, to interview the filmmakers. We spoke to the director Maciej Kawalski and executive producer Aleksandra Orzechowska-Madejska, as well as set and costume designers.

The movie has generated a lot of interest due to its star-studded casting, including Marcin Dorociński (The Queen’s Gambit, Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One), Marek Kondrat (Dzień Świra) and Maja Ostaszewska (Green Border). The ensemble is completed by an A-list star from the younger generation, Kamila Urzędowska (Chłopi). 

The film’s executive producer, Aleksandra Orzechowska Madejska, revealed to us that the production has a budget of 55 million Polish zlotys (about $15m) – an astounding figure by Polish standards. It is likely to premiere in 2027.

Interestingly, this is not the only Lalka being produced in Poland, as a Netflix production is in development at the same time. 

Lalka (The Doll in English), written by Bolesław Prus, holds a special place in Polish literature. A sociological study of universal themes of love, ambition and social barriers that dictate people’s choices, it has remained one of the country most popular novels since it was first published, as a newspaper series, in 1887–89 – and is still relevant today. It has been translated into 28 languages and twice adapted for the screen, in 1968 and 1997.