George the Hedgehog (film)

Plot

The story begins in the Professor's lab, where he and his assistant are conducting an experiment. As a result, the computer produces the image of a hedgehog. Professor sends his assistant to find one.

The next day, Stefan and Zenek attack Jerzy and his lover Yola, but are defeated. They are approached by Assistant, who offers them a job. He takes them to the Professor's lab and tells them to acquire Jerzy's DNA, then kill him. They secure the DNA, and a clone is created, but Jerzy survives. The Assistant explains that from their analysis it seems Jerzy has a full potential to become a pop star, but there was a problem: he couldn't be contained.

Jerzy meets with Yola, but the clone appears and assaults Yola. She becomes angry and leaves. As Jerzy tries to explain, he's captured by Assistant, who mistakes him for the clone. He escapes, but is seen by Stefan and Zenek, who collide with the clone and beat him, before being stopped by Yola. She drives the clone home, thinking he's the original Jerzy. However, as the clone abuses her again, she throws him out of the taxi and drives home.

The true Jerzy is waiting there, but Yola doesn't listen to him. Zenek asks Jerzy to meet under Poniatowskiego bridge by pretending to be Yola. There, Jerzy is knocked unconscious and thrown into the river. He is eventually rescued by the prostitute Lilka.

The clone becomes an international celebrity. Yola wants to come to terms with Jerzy. She meets Lilka, who starts to suspect the truth. Jerzy, decides to regain his good name. He breaks into a concert where the clone is performing, revealing the truth. A fight ensues, and a beam falls and crushes the clone.

Yola witnesses the fight and tries to reach Jerzy, but she's captured by the Assistant. Jerzy pursues them and Assistant is arrested. Yola finally comes to terms with Jerzy. As they talk on the bridge, Professor finds out the clone is still alive, but lets him go, believing he'll manage without him. However, the clone is found by the two Vietnamese chefs and turned into a meal.

Cast

Production

The film project was initiated by Paisa Films in 2007 and co-produced with Produkcja which joined in 2009. The production received 1.6 million złoty from the Polish Film Institute and had a total budget of 2.6 million złoty. The film was digitally animated and combines cutout and 3D techniques. It took two years to make and involved a team of 14 people, although according to co-director Wojciech Wawszczyk, "everyone worked for six". After the script was finished the actors recorded their lines. In August 2010 the animation work was completed and editing began.

Release

The premiere was on 11 March 2011 in Poland through Monolith Films.