Pratik Handore
‘The Champion’ (alternatively titled ‘The Champion of Auschwitz’) is a 2020 sports drama movie based on the life of Polish boxer Tadeusz “Teddy” Pietrzykowski. Written and directed by Maciej Barczewski, it follows Pietrzykowski as he goes from being a boxer in Poland to a prisoner in the Auschwitz concentration camp, where he survives on his boxing skills and earns a name for himself.
The riveting biopic is set during the Second World War and features some stunning visual recreations of that era through its backdrops. Naturally, you must be curious to learn more about the places that feature in the movie. In that case, here is everything you need to know about the filming sites of ‘The Champion.’
The Champion Filming Locations
‘The Champion’ was filmed in Poland, mainly in Piaseczno, Warsaw, and Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki. Since the story is set in the Central European country, it is no surprise that the makers chose to shoot the movie on location there. Principal photography on the project likely commenced near the end of October 2019 and was wrapped up sometime in January 2020. Now, let’s take a closer look at the movie’s exact shooting spots.
Piaseczno, Poland
Most portions of ‘The Champion’ were lensed in and around Piaseczno, a city in Piaseczno County and the Masovian Voivodeship. It is a part of the Warsaw Metropolitan Area and is located south of the capital city. The production crew recreated the Auschwitz concentration camp in the city to record several important scenes. Piaseczno’s rich history, influenced by the Second World War, makes it an ideal setting for the movie’s story. Moreover, it is known for its Gothic-Renaissance architecture, which is fully displayed in the backdrop of the scenes.
Warsaw, Poland
The cast and crew taped some sequences in Warsaw, Poland’s capital city. It is a major cultural, political, and economic hub and a popular filming and tourist destination. The city is famous for its delicious food and vibrant nightlife as well as for popular tourist Warsaw Skyline, Sigismund’s Column, Staszic Palace, Copernicus Monument, and Wilanów Palace. Movies such as ‘The Pianist,’ ‘Inland Empire,’ and ‘The Coldest Game‘ were shot in Warsaw.
Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, Poland
Interior scenes of ‘The Champion’ were partially recorded at Modlin Fortress (also known as Twierdza Modlin), located in the town of Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki. It is one of the largest 19th-century fortresses in Poland and was constructed by the French between 1806 to 1812. Presently, it houses Polish military facilities but is open to tourists. The filming unit seemingly shot sequences in other parts of the town too.
