Wojciech Karolak

In late 1950s Poland, jazzman Fabian returns from England and forms a swing big band that quickly rises to fame. Their glamorous new singer, the enigmatic Modesta, becomes both the group’s star and Fabian’s love interest. As their success begins to resemble a Hollywood musical, the authorities take a growing interest in their world of music and romance.

A documentary portrait of the Kurylewicz Quintet at work in the recording studio, Opus Jazz captures the stop-and-start process of rehearsal before the musicians lock into rhythm and achieve full improvisational flow. Majewski’s film highlights both the discipline and spontaneity of modern jazz in 1960s Poland.

Chased by mafia boss Kreda over a mistaken €2 million debt, club president Ryszard Ochódzki follows consigliere Maria Wafel’s advice to sell land to Father Pudło, only to hatch an even bigger bank fraud with banker Koziczek to raise the cash. Flush with stolen funds and briefly enjoying political office, he hides the money in the Molibdenów home, but just as he and coach Jarząbek plan to retrieve it, contract killer Dukan closes in.