It’s been an intense start to the year for Tango Production in Warsaw. After two years of uncertainty with the global pandemic taking its grip, and now the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Poland is certainly facing challenging times. However, despite this, the team have never been busier working with Smuggler, Stories AG and the Zorba Group amongst many more.
Remik Bartos, executive producer explains that they’ve had to do some ‘damage control’ as many clients are fearful to come to Poland in case the invasion should spread across Eastern Europe.
“Like with Covid-19 we’ve been surprised that what started as a smaller-scale political situation led to a full-scale conflict and this time we’re much much closer to the eye of the storm. We’ve been receiving some troublesome news from abroad that Poland is no longer a safe place to direct projects to, which is quite surprising for us. Especially since our lives haven’t changed much since the beginning of the conflict started by Russia with our neighbour Ukraine.
Truth be told from our production trenches; Nothing, completely nothing has changed in terms of the production in Poland.”
In fact, Remik says that the harm of this ‘fake news’ could cripple the economy at a time where Poland needs it most to help over one million Ukrainian refugees that have crossed the border.
“As citizens of Poland, we have opened the doors to Ukrainian refugees - offering safe harbour under the protection of NATO and helping those displaced find jobs amongst the production community. For us to thrive and help our neighbours we must continue to receive jobs in Poland.”
So far, clients continue to come to shoot in Poland. Most recently, Tango serviced the latest music video for Muse ‘Compliance’ directed by Jeremi Durand and Left Productions.
Tango also produced a huge scale production with OS3 for Deichmann directed by Marcin Starzecki.
On the back of the pandemic, where Tango was receiving smaller scripts and content briefs, they recently launched a division to provide service micro budget projects. “We are the most established production house in Poland but this does not mean we only service big projects. Since the pandemic we have seen more small-scale budgets and we have the means to produce projects like this but with the quality of a big production. This is what we call the Tango way”. Gosia Zatorska-Trojanowska, CEO, Tango Production.
Let’s hope that by continuing to do great creative work, the message gets across and clients continue to support the Polish film industry and by doing so allow us to help Ukraine refugees.