🥊 Jerzy Kulej: The Dual Legacy of Poland’s Boxing Champion
In the storied annals of Polish sports history, few names shine as brightly—or as complexly—as Jerzy Kulej. Revered as Poland’s only two-time Olympic gold medalist in boxing, Kulej was more than a champion of the ring. He was a national icon, an actor, a commentator, and a member of parliament. His life, filled with triumphs and personal trials, is the subject of the biographical film Kulej. All That Glitters Isn’t Gold (Kulej. Dwie Strony Medalu), featured at the 2025 New York Polish Film Festival. This compelling feature not only celebrates his victories but delves into the emotional and societal toll of a life spent in the public eye.
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Jerzy Kulej was born on October 19, 1940, in the industrial city of Częstochowa, Poland. He took up boxing at the age of 15, training with the local Start Częstochowa club before advancing to the national level. Under the guidance of legendary coach Feliks Stamm, he joined Poland’s national boxing team in 1958 and quickly established himself as one of the most promising fighters in the country.
Kulej's technical skill, tactical intelligence, and extraordinary footwork earned him accolades across Europe. He captured gold at the 1963 European Amateur Championships in Moscow and repeated the feat two years later in East Berlin. By the time of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Kulej had become a serious contender on the global stage.
Double Olympic Gold: A Rare Legacy
At the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, Kulej competed in the light welterweight division and faced off against top-tier opponents, ultimately defeating Yevgeny Frolov of the Soviet Union in a tense final bout. His victory was more than a personal achievement—it was a symbolic win for Poland during a time of Cold War tensions.
Four years later, Kulej returned to the Olympic ring in Mexico City (1968). Against the odds and amidst intense political upheaval worldwide, he defended his title by defeating Enrique Regüeiferos of Cuba in another dramatic final. Kulej became the only Polish boxer to win two Olympic gold medals, cementing his place in sports history.
Fame, Pressure, and Personal Challenges
Despite his international fame and status as a national hero, Jerzy Kulej's life was not without its complications. Like many public figures, especially athletes under the microscope of Cold War-era Poland, he faced tremendous pressure from fans, officials, and the state.
Behind his cool and calculated demeanor in the ring, Kulej struggled with personal demons. Accounts of alcohol dependency, marital issues, and the emotional toll of celebrity life haunted his post-Olympic years. His relationship with his wife, Helena, played a significant role in his story—a tale of mutual resilience and the difficult dynamics of life lived under public scrutiny. Their complicated partnership is poignantly explored in Kulej. All That Glitters Isn’t Gold, where Helena is portrayed by celebrated actress Michalina Olszańska.
Life After Boxing
Kulej retired from competitive boxing in 1971, leaving behind a career record that included 317 wins, 6 draws, and just 25 losses. But he did not fade into obscurity. Instead, he transitioned into a successful second act as a television boxing commentator, bringing his sharp analysis and colorful personality to millions of viewers on Polsat Sport.
He also dabbled in acting, appearing in the 1976 film Przepraszam, czy tu biją? (“Excuse Me, Is This a Fight?”), which offered a cinematic look into the boxing world. Later, he entered the political arena, serving from 2001 to 2005 in the Polish Sejm (parliament) as a representative of the Democratic Left Alliance. Even outside the ring, Kulej remained a fighter—an advocate for sport and social issues alike.
The Film: Kulej. All That Glitters Isn’t Gold
Directed by Xawery Żuławski, the biopic delves into Kulej's life with both reverence and unflinching honesty. The film spans the critical years from 1964 to 1968, depicting both the triumphs and tribulations of a man caught between two worlds: the public adoration of his Olympic legacy and the private battles that threatened to undo it.
The film's title, All That Glitters Isn’t Gold, encapsulates the film’s central tension—the dissonance between success and satisfaction. Żuławski brings his signature intensity and narrative boldness to the project, balancing riveting sports sequences with powerful interpersonal drama. Actor Tomasz Włosok brings depth and vulnerability to the role of Kulej, delivering a performance that humanizes the legend.
Xawery Żuławski: The Director Behind the Story
Son of the iconic filmmaker Andrzej Żuławski and actress Małgorzata Braunek, Xawery Żuławski is no stranger to cinematic legacy. Born in Warsaw in 1971, he graduated from the National Film School in Łódź and quickly established himself as one of the most innovative voices in contemporary Polish cinema.
His breakout film Wojna polsko-ruska (Snow White and Russian Red, 2009) was a daring adaptation of Dorota Masłowska's novel and earned him the Silver Lions at the Gdynia Film Festival. Known for his genre-defying storytelling and bold visual style, Żuławski brings a layered and compassionate eye to the Kulej story, elevating the biopic to more than just a portrait of an athlete—it's a meditation on masculinity, legacy, and the human cost of greatness.
Cultural Impact and Lasting Legacy
Jerzy Kulej passed away on July 13, 2012, from complications related to eye melanoma, but his impact on Polish culture endures. He is remembered not only as a boxing champion but as a complex, charismatic figure who embodied both the promise and peril of fame.
His story continues to inspire a new generation of athletes, artists, and audiences. With Kulej. All That Glitters Isn’t Gold, viewers are invited to go beyond the medals and see the man in full—flawed, driven, resilient.
See It at NYPFF 2025
Audiences in New York will have the rare opportunity to experience Kulej's story on the big screen at the 20th New York Polish Film Festival.
Screening Details:
🗓 Saturday, May 31, 2025
🕒 6:30 PM
📍 Scandinavia House, 60 Park Ave, NYC
🎟️ Tickets:
nypff.com
Don't miss this unforgettable portrait of a true Polish original.
Written for the New York Polish Film Festival
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