“Shendler’s List” (1993) – Kraków
Spielberg chose authentic locations in Krakow to recreate the dramatic events of World War II. The Kazimierz district served as a background for many scenes in the film, while Oskar Schindler’s Emalia factory and the Płaszów concentration camp were faithfully reconstructed for production purposes. Even though the film has deep connections with Polish history, its universal message and plot transcend local contexts.
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Birds and Snakes” (2023) – Wrocław Centennial Hall
Preparations for the Centennial Hall as an arena for the Hunger Games took two years. A 500-person film crew shot scenes under the hall’s dome for 21 days. Wrocław, although far from a dystopian plan, became the heart of an exciting story about ambition, survival and sacrifice for the purpose of the film.
“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (2005) – Białowieża National Park
It is in the picturesque Białowieża Forest, over the frozen one The Siemianówka Reservoir, among the Table Mountains and near the Dunajec River, the filmmakers found a background that perfectly reflects the fairy-tale atmosphere of the story. The filmmakers wanted to shoot even more scenes in Poland than they actually managed to do, but their plans were spoiled by difficult weather conditions. Beautiful Polish landscapes were also used in the next film in the series.
“Bridge of Spies” (2015) – Wrocław
For the purposes of Steven Spielberg’s film “Bridge of Spies”, Wrocław was transformed into Cold War Berlin. Thanks to careful scenography and the use of historic parts of the city, the city perfectly recreated the atmosphere of a divided city from the Cold War era, without revealing its true location.
“Inland Empire” (2006) – Łódź
David Lynch, known for creating surreal and dreamlike works, chose Łódź to shoot part of his film “Inland Empire”. The city with its unique architecture and industrial character became the background for complex, multi-layered scenes in the film. Łódź not only lends its landscape to Lynch’s production, but also adds a unique, surreal atmosphere.
“The Witcher” (2019-) – Ruins of Ogrodzieniec Castle
Even though Netflix’s “The Witcher” is a series, not a movie, its inclusion on the list is justified due to its international success. Ogrodzieniec Castle and the surrounding areas were used for scenes from the series, creating a convincing background for the fantastic world created by Andrzej Sapkowski. The place is very popular on maps of Polish monuments. When visiting it, you can easily see the views that are shown in the series
Holiday travels in the footsteps of ‘The Witcher’. Scenes for the Netflix hit were recorded in these places in Poland / Ogrodzieniec Castle pixabay.com / Ogrodzieniec Castle
“The Pianist” (2002) – Warsaw
Warsaw, although naturally associated with the history presented in the film “The Pianist”, was used to create a faithful representation of the Warsaw Ghetto. Director Roman Polański focused on historical accuracy, transforming the streets of Warsaw into a stage for the dramatic events of World War II.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
