Jez Jerzy, also known as George the Hedgehog, an animated story about the most sleazy cartoon character ever, is released today in cinemas throughout Poland.

The full-length animation story has been adapted for the big screen from a comic strip. It started over a decade ago as a children’s comic and after several years it became one of the most popular Polish comic strips for adults. The animation story is also addressed to viewers who are over 15 years old.

The main character of the film, Jez Jerzy, is a hedgehog who rides a skate board, wears a baseball cap, drinks a lot and loves women. Jerzy lives in Warsaw and frequently gets into trouble with skinheads, police or politicians.

Kuba Terlikowski, one of three directors of Jez Jerzy, stresses that the film character is much calmer and better behaved than the one who appears in the comic strip.

It took almost three years and a team of fourteen people to finally release the film about Jez. “It was really hard work. Normally up to a hundred people are involved in the production of an animated story,” says Rafal Skarzycki, the film’s screenwriter.

Polish film and music stars are cast in the film, including actor Borys Szyc, who plays Jez Jerzy, actress and singer Maria Peszek and rapper Sokol who plays a skinhead. Actor Jaroslaw Boberek, who also dubbed one of the characters in George the Hedgehog claims that the film is controversial but people who do not take life and themselves too seriously will certainly appreciate it. (mg/jb)

Source: IAR

More on Jeż Jerzy can be found in this edition of Polish Radio's Studio 15