Chopin, a Sonata in Paris
2025 film by Michał Kwieciński
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Chopin, a Sonata in Paris (Polish: Chopin, Chopin!) is a 2025 Polish period biographical drama film directed by Michał Kwieciński. Starring Eryk Kulm as Frédéric Chopin, it follows the life of Chopin in the 1830s. It opened the Polish Film Festival on 22 September 2025 and received a theatrical release in Poland on 10 October 2025.
- Michał Kwieciński
- Małgorzata Fogel-Gabryś
| Chopin, a Sonata in Paris | |
|---|---|
Polish theatrical release poster | |
| Polish | Chopin, Chopin! |
| Directed by | Michał Kwieciński |
| Written by | Bartosz Janiszewski |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Michał Sobociński |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | TVP |
Release dates |
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Running time | 133 minutes |
| Country | Poland |
| Languages |
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| Budget | PLN 72 million[1] |
Cast
- Eryk Kulm as Frédéric Chopin
- Lambert Wilson as Louis Philippe I
- Joséphine de La Baume as George Sand
- Victor Meutelet as Franz Liszt
- Maja Ostaszewska as Tekla Justyna Chopin
- Karolina Gruszka as Delfina Potocka
- Michał Pawlik as Jan Matuszyński
- Kamil Szeptycki as Julian Fontana
- Martyna Byczkowska as Maria Wodzińska
- Dominika Ostałowska as Madame Wodzińska
Production
Development
The film was announced in March 2024.[2][3] Director Michał Kwieciński had previously worked with Eryk Kulm on his 2022 film, Filip. When Kulm expressed that Frédéric Chopin was his dream role, Kwieciński began researching the composer.[4][5] He was inspired by Joachim Trier's 2021 film The Worst Person in the World in deciding to present Chopin's life in distinct vignettes.[6]
With a budget of PLN 72 million, it is one of the most expensive productions in Polish history.[1][7]
Casting
Eryk Kulm joined the cast in June 2024.[8] To prepare for the role, he read two extensive biographies about Chopin.[4] He also spent three months learning piano pieces by Chopin to play in the film.[9] Pianist Janusz Olejniczak oversaw Kulm's musical preparations.[5] Lambert Wilson was announced as a cast member on 29 August 2024.[2]
Filming
The film was shot over four months, and required the work of 260 actors, 5,000 extras, and 600 crew members.[1] Principal photography began in Poland in August 2024.[10] In late August and early September, filming took place in Roztoka, Żelazno, Lubiąż, and Żagań.[11][12] From 21 September to 25 September 2024, filming took place in Łódź, including Izrael Poznański Palace.[13][14] Filming took place in Bordeaux from 7 October to 26 October 2024.[15][16][17] On 29 October 2024, filming began in Mallorca.[18][19] Filming took place in Szczawno-Zdrój, Bolków, and Wrocław in December 2024.[11]
Release
The film opened the Polish Film Festival on 22 September 2025.[20] It received a theatrical release in Poland by TVP Dystrybucja Kinowa on 10 October 2025.[1][21]
Reception
Accolades
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camerimage | 22 November 2025 | Golden Frog | Michał Sobociński | Nominated | |
| Bronze Frog | Won | ||||
| Polish Film Festival | 25 September 2025 | Best Film | Michał Kwieciński | Nominated | [22] |
| Best Production Design | Katarzyna Sobańska, Marcel Sławiński | Won | |||
| Best Costume Design | Magdalena Biedrzycka, Justyna Stolarz | Won | |||
| Polish Film Awards | 9 March 2026 | Best Actor | Eryk Kulm | Nominated | [23] |
| Best Supporting Actress | Karolina Gruszka | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Michał Sobociński | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound | Marcin Matlak, Marcin Kasiński, Filip Krzemień | Won | |||
| Best Editing | Bartłomiej Piasek, Piotr Wójcik | Nominated | |||
| Best Costume Design | Magdalena Biedrzycka, Justyna Stolarz | Won | |||
| Best Makeup | Dariusz Krysiak | Won | |||
| Best Production Design | Katarzyna Sobańska, Marcel Sławiński | Won |
