Michael Portillo, a British journalist, used to be a Conservative party member. In 2009 he started making the first documentary series "Great British Railway Journeys" (so far 3 series have been made), and in 2012 a series about trips in Europe.

On April, 6  Portillo spent a day at the Lodz Film School shooting footage for the third series of "Great Continental Railway Journeys". He played a part of a psychiatrist in a film of a third year direction of photography Adam Zapart "Remorse, czyli czarne mleko", directed by Katarzyna Parejko, a third year photography student; production manager: Katarzyna Kania from the School Film Production Unit. Aleksandra Posielężna, a graduate of acting, played in the film.

During his stay at the Film School Michael Portillo had an interview with dr. Piotr Sitarski, a Lodz University lecturer, about Lodz film tradition, famous Lodz Film School graduates, Pola Negri and Andrzej Wajda’s "Promised Land". Tom Richardson from the Boundless Productions/Fremantle Media UK, acted as a director and a cameraman.

Portillo travels by train across Europe referring to George Bradshaw’s "Continental Railway Guide" from 1913, which he carries around in a special metal box. Poland is mentioned in the guide as a part of Russia. His documentary series has the audience of 2,5 – 3 million viewers. Michael Portillo’s intention was to present Lodz as a city of film. The new series including an hour long episode devoted to Poland (apart from Lodz the BBC crew is visiting Warsaw, Poznan, Wrocław and Cracow) will be broadcast this autumn.

Photos: Mikołaj Zacharow