Netflix releases Jan Borysewicz biopic 'Mniej obcy' directed by Kristoffer Rus

Netflix release and production

The biographical feature film "Mniej obcy", chronicling the life of Lady Pank founder and guitarist Jan Borysewicz, premiered on Netflix on 7 October 2026. Directed by Kristoffer Rus, who grew up in Sweden listening to the band on cassette tapes after previously directing the family feature "Za duży na bajki", the film was written by screenwriters Wiktor Piątkowski and Joanna Kozłowska. The production casts guitarist Mikołaj Bukrewicz in his screen acting debut as Borysewicz, who consulted directly on the script and addressed his past struggles with alcohol and drug dependency. To maintain historical authenticity during performance scenes, the production team secured a 1979 Fender Stratocaster matching the exact color and single-coil pickups of the instrument Borysewicz played during Lady Pank's peak touring years. Bukrewicz also met with Borysewicz at his studio prior to filming, where the veteran guitarist shared his instrument collection.

Director Kristoffer Rus explained his decision to bring the guitarist's life to the screen during an interview with RMF FM:

This is a big part of Polish rock history. Janek has a very colorful life. He had both ups and downs, scandals and successes, so I believe it is a sin not to make a film about him.

Biographical arc and American tour

The narrative traces Borysewicz from his childhood in Wrocław through his early career across Polish rock groups, including work with Nurt, Apokalipsa, Katja & Roman, Budka Suflera, Tadeusz Nalepa's Breakout, and singer Iza Trojanowska. The storyline portrays his upbringing in communist Poland, marked by an absent father, a severely ill mother, and the suicide of his brother, alongside early musical recognition that drew the attention of British blues figure Alexis Korner. The narrative details his songwriting partnership with lyricist Andrzej Mogielnicki, conflicts with communist-era militia and state censorship, and Lady Pank's mid-1980s American venture following an album release on MCA Records. The band ultimately walked away from scheduled opening dates on Madonna's tour when American managers demanded replacing their lead vocalist with an English speaker and adding an American songwriter, complications further compounded by language barriers.

Reflecting on the enduring resonance of the band's catalog, Bukrewicz discussed the material during promotional appearances:

It is extraordinary how 40 years after these lyrics were written, they still resonate so much with me and with people in my generation.

Critical reception and creative liberties

Polish reviews published on the day of the premiere delivered mixed assessments of the film's structure and biographical precision. Multiple critics noted that the screenplay takes substantial creative liberties with Borysewicz's personal life, altering key relationships and assigning fictional names to characters based on his first wife and daughter. Reviewers also criticized the pacing, comparing certain sequences to music videos, and took issue with voice-over monologues where the protagonist speaks directly to God. Wrocław-based commentators observed that the production made minimal use of local regional settings, featuring only brief scenes at Sępolno and the Nadodrze railway station. However, reviewers consistently praised the musical arrangements and the depiction of Borysewicz's creative collaboration with Mogielnicki.