Abhiroop Das
Helmed by Jan Holoubek, Netflix’s ‘Heweliusz’ is a creative retelling of the Heweliusz ferry disaster, which claimed the lives of 56 people and went on to become one of the most harrowing maritime disasters ever recorded. The story follows Piotr Binter, an off-duty sailor who wakes up one night to learn that the ship he once captained has capsized in a violent storm. However, when he examines the case more closely, seeds of doubt begin to take root in his head. The stiff resistance he faces from the higher powers only furthers his resolve even more. As such, the show adopts a parallel narrative structure, simultaneously depicting the disaster unfolding in real time and the investigations that follow. This Polish historical disaster drama brings forth a multitude of perspectives, whether it be the shadowy forces that ensure the truth remains buried or the survivors who uncover a whole different side of the narrative.
Witek is a Fictional Character Partially Based on Two Survivors of the Heweliusz Disaster
As the narrative of ‘Heweliusz’ dramatizes the real-life sinking of MS Jan Heweliusz, not every element of the show is an exact recreation of reality. To that end, Witold “Witek” Skirmuntt is a semi-fictional character penned by Kasper Bajon. The writer has stated that his creative process was backed by exhaustive research into the disaster and the investigations that followed, which makes it likely that Witek is partially informed by the stories of the nine real-life survivors. Actor Konrad Eleryk has confirmed that Witek’s character is a composite of two members of the crew who survived the tragedy, although he didn’t reveal the names and details. Eleryk continued, stating that the story borrows from the two survivors’ lives in two different capacities, with one of them serving as the basis for Witek’s personal life, and the other inspiring the show’s take on the incident itself.
Although Eleryk didn’t reveal the exact names of the two survivors who inspired the character of Witek, several clues within the show can help narrow down the list further. Based on Witek’s role on the ship as a third officer, the most likely source of inspiration is Janusz Lewandowski, the third officer of Heweliusz on its final voyage. According to reports, Janusz was on the bridge of the ferry when it began tilting, and he was the only person to survive, among others on the bridge. Numerous overlaps between Witek and Janusz point to a possible connection between the two. Reportedly, during the 1993 inquiry into the Helewiusz disaster, the Maritime Chambers brought attention to the fact that Janusz was an officer, not by education, but by promotion. In the show, the same detail is associated with Witek, and similarly comes to light during the Chambers proceedings, making the linkage more probable.
Witek’s Mysterious Role in the Show Was Likely Inspired by Stories Surrounding Janusz Lewandowski
Notably, some claims surrounding Janusz Lewandowski also point to a deeper parallel with Witek and his character arc. According to Adam Zadworny, a scholar of the Heweliusz tragedy, Janusz held on to some secrets surrounding the ferry’s final moments, right up to his death. While Zadworny’s words are based on his own journalistic conversations and research, the lack of any definite evidence surrounding this claim pushes it into the realm of speculation. However, it is likely that the writing team of ‘Heweliusz’ was inspired by this claim, as in the final episode of the series, Witek is revealed to have secretly played a major role in the ferry’s capsizing. While there are vague similarities between Witek and Janusz Lewandowski, the show’s creative touches regarding the former also give rise to many differences. In particular, Witek’s grim conclusion bears no resemblance to any real-life details about Janusz and was likely created from scratch by the writing team.
While there is a good chance that Janusz Lewandowski represents one of the two real-life figures who inspired the creation of Witek, narrowing down the other survivor is a more challenging task. It is likely that the second person inspired Witek’s interiority and struggles, especially his dynamic with his wife and child. Although there appears to be no direct antecedent in this regard, it is possible that Grzegorz Sudwoj, one of the sailors who survived the tragedy, served as a reference point. Upon being rescued, Sudwoj reportedly told one of the German rescuers that he had a wife and a small child, and that information might have served as a source of inspiration for Witek’s personal life. Furthermore, Eleryk added that, in addition to the two survivors who laid the foundation for his character, he also drew on his own understanding of Witek to bring him to life on screen.
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