For years, Gdynia has been synonymous with cinema, hosting some of the largest film festivals and serving as the birthplace of many new productions. The city has long inspired filmmakers, and its residents frequently spot famous actors and meticulously crafted film sets on its streets. Gdynia boasts stunning seaside landscapes, forested areas, and modernist architecture, with distinctive buildings recognized internationally. Notable productions filmed in Gdynia include:
Man of Iron, The Consul, The Closed Circuit, The City from the Sea, The Scam, Reich, Black Thursday, Colors of Evil: Red, Doppelgänger.The Double, The Bay of Spies, Blood of Blood, Furiosa, Pati, BringBackAlice.
The Bay of Spies
Recently, ominous banners bearing Nazi swastikas, period cars, and shop windows with German signage appeared on the streets of Gdynia. The plot of the historical series Bay of Spies is inspired by true events from the early years of World War II, including the visit of the battleship Bismarck to Gdynia and German work on torpedoes. The storyline will transport viewers to the World War II era, just before Germany’s 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union, when the Soviets became involved in espionage operations. The series, directed by Michał Rogalski and produced for TVP, is set to premiere in 2025.
Photo: Kamil Złoch
Photo: Jakub Winiewski
Colors of Evil: Red
“Colors of Evil: Red” is a brand new release on Netflix – a gripping thriller set in Gdynia. It is a fascinating story about the murder of a young girl whose body is washed ashore by the sea. This is when a major investigation is launched, led by an unconventional pair of detectives. The film premiered on May 29, 2024, on Netflix, and the plot is based on the crime novel by Małgorzata Oliwia Sobczak. The film’s action unfolds primarily in the city of Gdynia.
Press materials
“Hewelius”
In February 2024, filming for the movie Heweliusz took place in Gdynia. It is a five-episode dramatized series inspired by the story of the sinking of the Jan Heweliusz ferry. The production for Netflix is overseen by director Jan Holoubek, screenwriter Kasper Bajon, and producer Anna Kępińska. The premiere of Heweliusz is scheduled for next year. There will be over 130 disaster scenes, and the stunt shots will be filmed in Brussels, in a state-of-the-art film studio with a special pool. The producers of the series emphasize that it is not just a story about the ferry disaster, but also about grief, loss, and the fight against a dysfunctional state to preserve the dignity and honor of those who perished.
The Jan Heweliusz ferry sank during a storm in the Baltic Sea on January 14, 1993. It is the largest disaster in the history of Polish maritime transport that occurred during peacetime. The Maritime Appeals Court identified the causes of the accident as the ship’s poor technical condition, which should not have allowed it to sail at the time, as well as errors made by the captain. The wreck of the Heweliusz still rests at the bottom of the Baltic Sea, and its tragic history continues to draw interest from filmmakers, historians, and journalists.
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Doppelgänger. The Double
The film takes viewers back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, with the action unfolding simultaneously on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Hans lives in the vibrant city of Strasbourg, taking full advantage of the opportunities the West offers. He blends into the local community while simultaneously carrying out espionage activities. Bitner lives with his family in Gdańsk and works at the shipyard. On the surface, the two men seem to have nothing in common, but the past hides a secret that will force them to confront their own weaknesses and passions. Both will face questions about their identity. The filming for the movie also took place in Gdynia.
Press materials
Blood of Blood
The film’s action unfolds primarily in the city of Gdynia. The main character, Carmen, is the daughter of a mafia boss and the wife of a cigarette smuggler. Despite her background, she leads a life apart from the criminal underworld and focuses on raising her three children. However, when her husband is killed in an attack, she must take on the role of a tough businesswoman and take charge of the family business to protect herself and her children. She fights for survival in a world filled with brutality and crime. She doesn’t know whom to trust, as the once-clear line between good and evil begins to blur…
Photo: Grzegorz Press
Photo: Grzegorz Press
Photo: Grzegorz Press