A conversation with Anna Kępińska-Andryszczak, lead producer of the series “Londoners”
Emigration on the screen
Being qualified to be screened at INPUT is a great distinction for the series “Londoners.” What do you think is behind this phenomenon? Why was this program selected from among many others?
First of all it is the first Polish series to be shot in this form overseas and tells the story of emigrants. Most likely it is the only foreign series that tell the story of emigration. I also think we found certain good recipes for presenting London.
In reference to what you said, the series won an award in the Media Trendy competition in the category “innovative” use of the press. What is “innovative” about “Londoners?”
It was about the entire promotion campaign, the use of billboards and press articles. The day of the premier, the entire run of Metro was printed in English. There was a huge “Big Ben” inflated in the center of Warsaw, with people wearing “Londoners” T-shirts walking by. The original promotion campaign, different from those we see with other types of productions, ensured that we had an audience prior to broadcast of the first episode.
To whom is the series targeted, the title characters, “Londoners,” or to viewers in Poland?
To viewers in Poland, absolutely, because the program is broadcast here. The script was inspired by stories heard from Poles living in London. Our team spent several weeks collecting material in order to put together a cohesive story.
How did you respond to the criticism of Poles in London who thought the show maligns the image of Poles in Great Britain?
First of all one must remember that it is a feature series, a film fiction. The concept was based dramatic assumptions. We have an array of characters who are either just beginning their lives in London or already live there. There’s an overview of various social groups. I think the array was relatively broad for such a series. We felt all along that one should watch it in its entirety, all thirteen episodes, before judging the series. And sure enough, many people withdrew their criticisms of the program. I think that opposition and dissatisfaction were premature, and once the entire series was broadcast, there was markedly less criticism.
What, according to you, is the main characteristic of the series? What should we pay attention to of we want to encourage foreign viewers to watch it?
First off, the idea itself, and the fact that someone was brave enough to shoot a series overseas. Nearly half the footage was shot in London. Plus just coming up with the format and concept of how to do it overseas so that it was economically viable. The logistic-production issue is essential. The other thing I suppose is the interesting narration, the variety of main characters, and the modern subject matter.
The second season of “Londoners” is currently in production. What can we expect and what new story lines have you prepared?
First of all, we will return to our “old” characters. We will expand the array of people we present. We want to refresh their stories. Certainly there will be returns to Poland. We want to relate to the reality around us. We continually want the subject matter to be current events and the various problems faced by emigrants. Life there, and considerations whether it is worth it. Perhaps going back to the homeland would be a better choice. However, most of the action takes place in London, and so most of the filming is done there. We may show a few new places in London, those less picture-postcard. There will be more controversial story lines; we do not fear dealing with deeper problems. We will try to get to know the psychology of our characters more. We have no intention of presenting a schmaltzy televnovel, but speak about everything directly and without fear.
Interviewed by Gabriela Jatkowska
Anna Kępińska-Andryszczak and Stanisław Krzemiński as lead producers will be representing “Londoners” at INPUT
