How to Navigate Your Way in the Midst of a Political and Pandemic World

Like all players in the Polish market, Tango Production, based in Warsaw, are trying to navigate through the pandemic amid political crises. Here, Tango Productions talk about how they’ve transformed their business to fit in with Covid-19 guidelines but also tackling the government’s recent actions as a business.

“It’s been a tough year for all of us, but as producers and solving problems, we’ve been fortunate enough to adapt to the situation with clients returning to work with us, with the help of live streaming, local directors or “ghost directors”. As with most of Europe, as the curve rises and lockdowns continue, we have to change our policies to meet the guidelines and we are confident work will continue to return.” said Julia Bidakowska-Andren, executive producer.

- Above: Left // Julia Bidakowska-Andren, executive producer - Right // Gosia Zatorska Trojanowska, CEO and partner

However, it is not only the global pandemic that disturbs daily life. Poland is in the midst of a serious political battle that affects democracy and damages Poland’s reputation as a superb place to shoot. The current government’s recent actions involving women and LGBTQ+ rights have led to a wide public opposition, including the film industry. 

Gosia explained: “We do not agree with how the politics in Poland are led right now and hope for as much support we can get from outside of this country. Tango Production was the only production house in Poland that manifested solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community when they were attacked by our political leaders and now we strongly support and unite with the demonstrators protesting against  a court's near-total ban on abortion.  People’s patience towards this government is over. We don’t want the outside world to see us as homophobic, fanatically religious society, as the greater part of us are rational, open-minded Europeans.” 

As a company Tango Production are keen to show the industry that the current government actions are not the views of their own. With many similarities of other right wing governments across the world, the perceptions of Poland can be tarred. Poland has a tremendous film history with amazing directors, DOPs, production designers, crews as well as beautiful locations. 

“We truly love what we do and this current situation cannot ruin this great reputation that this country has. We are hoping for a radical change to happen before Poland hurtles towards a wicked and harmful nightmare. The protests on 31st October indicate how strongly the Polish people feel towards this movement and show the world what a powerful peaceful nation we are when we come together. Seeing the results of the US election this weekend, creating history by having a woman of colour in the White House, gives us hope that a change is going to come to Poland soon.”