—Roman Polanski

Gene Gutowski's name is associated with some of the great films of the twentieth century: the Oscar-winning masterpiece The Pianist and classic films like Repulsion, Cul de-sac and The Fearless Vampires Killers. Best known for his work behind the scenes as a beloved film producer and for his successful collaborations with longtime friend and fellow Pole, Roman Polanski, Gene has now come out of the wings and into the limelight with his memoirs, With Balls and Chutzpah: A Story of Survival.

Gene Gutowski (right) with The Pianist’s leading man, Adrien Brody.

Born in Lwów, Poland, Gene and his family were swept up in the tides of war that brought first the Russian then German occupations to his birthplace. In 1942, at the tender age of 16, Gene found himself alone in the world, his entire family having been murdered by the Nazis. Quickly learning to survive in constant fear and frequently mortal danger, Gene was able to survive the war by hiding in plain sight, first in Warsaw, then Riga, Latvia, and ultimately made it across American lines in Germany at war’s end.

Appreciating his language abilities and first-hand knowledge of Nazi hierarchy, the CIC (Counter Intelligence Corps) quickly put Gene to work as a special agent. He found the job suited him well and he spent the next two years tasked with arresting former Nazis and helping bring some order into the chaotic post-war German environment.

Gene moved to New York in 1947 where he became a fashion illustrator and film producer in the fifties, then on to London in the Swinging Sixties. He invited a young Roman Polanski to join him in London where their creative partnership produced many classic films, including Repulsion, Cul-De-Sac, The Fearless Vampire Killers, and later The Pianist, winner of three Academy Awards.

For many years I protected my young family from having to carry the burden of the tragedy that befell our entire family. As they got older, I decided it was finally time to share the truth and tell my story.

What was it like for you returning home after living in different countries for so long? Is it challenging for you to share your story with younger generations? 

The Poland I found on my return was completely different from the one I left nearly sixty years before. In fact, my birthplace of Lwow is no longer a part of Poland but is in the Ukraine due to the many border changes during and after the war. There is a new generation of bright, talented and creative young people in Poland today and I’m happy to be able to share my story with them and others.

What drives you to produce movies? What is it about storytelling that stimulates your creative passions? 

I’ve always enjoyed the filmmaking process. Helping to bring a good idea to life in this collaborative medium is a highly rewarding experience. Working with talented people, often in interesting places is a great way to make a living and fulfill one’s creative impulses at the same time.

In your memoirs, you’ve referred to the experience of producing The Pianist as a catharsis and a crowning moment of your life. In the same way, what experience can you single out as the most important and life-changing?

Well, clearly, the loss of my whole family in the gas chambers of Belzec was the pivotal event   of my life. I was completely alone in the world at the age of 16, in Nazi-occupied Poland, having to fend for myself.

Who is your book’s target audience?

I would hope that the book would find interested readers among people who are interested in the historical aspects – Poland during the war, London in the 60’s etc. – and among people who appreciate the films I was involved in. It is also, in my opinion, an interesting and inspiring story told with a certain self-depreciating and humorous flair that I hope anyone might enjoy.

Well, there are many [highlights]… but of particular interest might be my years spent as a Counter Intelligence Corp special agent in post-war Germany. There, we lived like kings, partied like rock stars and were responsible for bringing former Nazis to justice.

Filmmaking with young Roman Polanski in London of the swinging 60’s and jet-setting in the 70’s with Adnan Khashoggi, once the world’s richest man, are also highlights.

I hope on some level my story evokes some universal themes – overcoming adversity, facing whatever life throws at you with ‘balls and chutzpah.’

What do you think is the most important thing to consider in choosing a self-publishing company and what advice would you give to an aspiring author? 

Look for a company that provides a wide variety of options and services from editorial to marketing and promotion at various price points. iUniverse was great at offering different solutions specific to our book and potential target audience.