Mug (2018)
A darkly comic Polish drama about identity, faith, and what it means to wear a new face in a society that barely recognized the old one.
Mug - Movie Information
- Original Title: Twarz
- Release Year: 2018
- Directed by: Małgorzata Szumowska
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 31m
- Original Language: Polish
- Spoken Languages: Polish
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 15, 2018 (LT - N-13), December 7, 2018 (United Kingdom - 15), April 24, 2019 (Italy), February 1, 2019 (Spain)
- Alternative Titles: Рило (UA), Mug (GR)
- Production Companies: TVN, Di Factory, Nowhere, Dreamsound, Krakowskie Biuro Festiwalowe, Platige Films, Kino Świat, Filmoteka Narodowa – Instytut Audiowizualny, Piramida Film
- Production Countries: Poland
Mug - Plot
After fun-loving metalhead Jacek is disfigured in an accident at work, he becomes the first person in Poland to receive a face transplant. This leads to his status as a media spectacle and martyr, all while battling ensuing identity issues as a consequence.
Mug - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at Szumowska's unsettling, darkly comic world.
More than a body.
Where to Watch Mug
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Mug - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Małgorzata Szumowska
Main Cast
- Mateusz Kościukiewicz
- Agnieszka Podsiadlik
- Małgorzata Gorol
- Anna Tomaszewska
- Dariusz Chojnacki
- Robert Talarczyk
- Roman Gancarczyk
- Iwona Bielska
- Martyna Krzysztofik
- Krzysztof Czeczot
Writers
- Michał Englert
- Małgorzata Szumowska
Producers
- Jacek Drosio
- Michał Englert
- Małgorzata Szumowska
Mug - FAQs
Is Mug based on a true story?
Mug is inspired by the real case of Grzegorz Galewski, a Polish construction worker who suffered severe facial injuries in 2013 and underwent Poland's first partial face transplant. Director Małgorzata Szumowska used this event as a springboard to explore identity, faith, and social belonging in contemporary Poland.
What does Mug say about Polish society?
Through Jacek's transformation, the film offers a sharp satirical portrait of modern Poland — its religious conservatism, media sensationalism, and the tension between tradition and change. Szumowska uses the face transplant as a metaphor for a society grappling with its own shifting identity in the post-communist era.
Who are the main actors in Mug?
Mug stars Mateusz Kościukiewicz as Jacek, the metalhead who undergoes a face transplant. The supporting cast includes Agnieszka Podsiadlik, Małgorzata Gorol, Anna Tomaszewska, Dariusz Chojnacki, Robert Talarczyk, Roman Gancarczyk, Iwona Bielska, Martyna Krzysztofik, and Krzysztof Czeczot.
Where can you stream Mug online?
Mug is available to stream on Film Movement Plus and Film Movement Plus via Amazon Channel, both offering it as part of their flat-rate subscription plans. Availability may vary by region, so checking a streaming aggregator like JustWatch is recommended for the most current options.
Did Mug win any awards?
Yes. Mug won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the 2018 Berlin International Film Festival, one of cinema's most prestigious honors. The award recognized Małgorzata Szumowska's bold direction and the film's incisive social commentary, significantly raising its international profile.
What is Mug about?
Mug follows Jacek, a carefree metalhead in rural Poland who is severely disfigured in a construction accident and becomes the country's first face transplant recipient. The film examines how his new appearance upends his relationships, faith, and sense of self, while the media turns him into a spectacle.
Who directed Mug and who wrote the screenplay?
Mug was directed by Małgorzata Szumowska, one of Poland's most acclaimed contemporary filmmakers. She co-wrote the screenplay alongside cinematographer Michał Englert, her frequent creative collaborator. Englert also served as director of photography, shaping the film's distinctive visual style.
How long is the film Mug?
Mug has a runtime of 91 minutes, making it a lean, focused feature that wastes no time in delivering its dark comedic premise and layered social critique. The film's compact length keeps its satirical energy tightly wound from beginning to end.
More About Mug
Explore further details about Mug on these authoritative film databases.