The 56-year-old Irishman, who is best known for his roles in Game of Thrones and the BBC/Netflix hit series Peaky Blinders, is now taking on the lead role as a Russian agent in the film Duel (Pojedynek), directed by Łukasz Palkowski.
Gillen told Polish state news agency PAP: “I'm always looking for interesting roles, good stories. I often looked outside my home backyard. I come from Ireland, but I mostly worked in England, America, Australia.
“Duel is a Polish-Irish-Ukrainian co-production in which an Irish producer, with whom I have worked many times, is also involved.
“And this is how this script came to me. I took advantage of this opportunity because I love Polish cinema.”
Gillen plays Russian intelligence officer Vasily Zarubin—based on a real-life character—who, following the Soviet Union’s attack on Poland two weeks after Nazi Germany’s invasion, is sent to a camp for displaced Poles to try to recruit them.
Gillen said: “The film's story takes place in the first days of World War II, when in 1939 Russia attacked Poland from the east.
“The action is set in a camp where thousands of people are gathered to convince them to side with the Soviets.
“And Zarubin, my character, leads this mission. He believes that he is on the right side, that this is the way to the future. And that he can win the hearts and minds of these people through persuasion and manipulation.”
Starring a lineup of Polish A-listers, including Tomasz Kot, Julia Pietrucha, and the legendary Bogusław Linda, the film is “full of sophisticated manipulation, threats, and promises,” according to the producers.
Gillen said: “It's a great joy to be among such excellent professionals. My impressions of working with a Polish director, actors, and crew are great.
“I expected that, because I've been familiar with Polish cinema since the fifties. Many of the actors I've met in Poland now started in the theater.
“Actors of my generation, especially in Ireland, also started in the theater, so our skills are basically similar. I feel like I'm in my place.”
Duel is set to have its worldwide premiere later this year.
