The acclaimed producer of James Bond, Jayne-Ann Tenggren, is gearing up to embark on a new cinematic project centred around the Polish national hero Witold Pilecki. Titled „Enemy of My Enemy,” this collaborative venture between The Power Hound Pictures and the Polish Film Institute is poised to become one of the most significant Polish film productions in history.

The script, penned by actor and writer Matt King, takes its inspiration from Marco Patricelli’s critically acclaimed book 'The Volunteer,’ which played a pivotal role in bringing international attention to Pilecki’s story. Serving as a historical film consultant, Patricelli noted, „Our collaboration with screenwriter Matt King has been ongoing since 2018.”

 „The film is intended to accurately depict life in the Auschwitz camp. I went there many times to refine certain details of the script. „

He further emphasised the commitment to portraying the lives of camp prisoners with utmost realism – „The Americans were interested in such details as the way of transmitting information inside and outside the camp, chess games made of bread, etc.”

 Renowned for his courageous leadership in an undercover mission where he volunteered for arrest and imprisonment in Auschwitz, Pilecki meticulously documented the harrowing conditions within the death camp. His revelations about these horrors came to light after a daring escape.

After the war, he faced arrest by communist authorities and met his end through execution in 1948.

Krzysztof Kosior, the great-grandson of Pilecki, who served as an advisor to the filmmakers, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, „I was thrilled to read the script and to be working with the filmmakers. (…) I am grateful this film is being made and that a global audience will know my great-grandfather’s story.”

At an early stage of development and currently without a director, the production team has outlined their intentions to film in both Italy and Poland.

This production stands as Poland’s most extensive endeavour of its kind, uniting both public and private resources in a film that underscores Poland’s dedication to enhancing its global co-production initiatives.

 Author: Patrycja Bodzek-Kurzyńska

 Photo: PAP/Public domain