American Soldier
screenplay and direction:Michał Bernardyn
cast:Jagoda Bogusiewicz, Wojciech Kałkusiński
cinematography:Sylwester Kaźmierczak
make-up artist:Agnieszka Senatorska
editing, colour grading and animation:Michał Bernardyn
production:soul seed media
for:MANKO Association / Senior Voice
CASE STUDY
American Soldier — a narrative film about a scam that begins with trust
For the MANKO Association / Senior Voice, we produced the narrative film “American Soldier Says: I Love You” as part of the “Stop the Manipulation – Don't Let Yourself Be Fooled!” campaign. The starting point was the real mechanism of online scams in which the criminal does not begin by asking for money. First, they create a credible persona, make contact, build trust and an emotional relationship.
A story based on real scam patterns
While preparing the screenplay, we analysed correspondence from scammers posing as foreigners, soldiers, doctors and other people presented as attractive potential partners.
We also referred to police materials describing the mechanisms of such crimes: gradually gaining trust, building a bond, declarations of affection, stories about unusual life circumstances and only later a request for financial help.
James Sikorski — an American soldier
In our film, the stranger introduces himself as James Sikorski — a retired American soldier with Polish roots. His story combines something foreign with something familiar and close: a Polish surname, an interest in Poland and a declaration of emotional connection.
He does not immediately make a financial request. First, he shows interest in the protagonist, writes to her and step by step tries to create the impression of a genuine relationship.
PRODUCTION
An online relationship shown in the protagonist's real world
Park, café, apartment
We observe the protagonist in several ordinary situations: during a walk in the park, in a café and at home. In each location, messages from James Sikorski accompany her.
We wanted to show that manipulation does not take place in some abstract “cyberspace”. The phone and messages become part of the protagonist's everyday life, while the online acquaintance gradually begins to influence her real emotions.
Messages as part of the narrative
Animated elements of the correspondence play an important role in the film, allowing the viewer to follow the development of the relationship without the need to literally stage the conversations.
At first, the messages are warm and personal. Interest appears, closeness and increasingly strong declarations. Only once the relationship appears established does James ask for money.
The mechanism matters more than the scammer himself
The aim of the film was not to create a grotesque criminal character. On the contrary — James had to sound credible enough for the viewer to understand why similar stories can work in real life.
The film focuses primarily on the mechanism of manipulation: first attention and interest, then an emotional bond, and only at the end an attempt to exploit the trust that has been built.
The request for money
When James finally asks the protagonist for money, the story reaches its most important moment. The viewer already knows how much time and emotion have been invested in the online relationship.
Will the protagonist trust the “American soldier”?
“Stop the Manipulation – Don't Let Yourself Be Fooled!”
The film is part of a long-term educational campaign by the MANKO Association / Senior Voice, focused on the safety of older people and recognising different methods of fraud.
The campaign addresses both telephone and online scams, as well as other forms of manipulation in which criminals exploit trust, emotions, urgency or the victim's lack of knowledge.
A film instead of just a warning
Rather than simply telling a senior “don't transfer money to strangers”, we wanted to show what the path leading to such a request can look like.
Thanks to the narrative form, the viewer can observe the manipulation step by step and recognise its characteristic elements before finding themselves in a similar situation.
Scope of work
- research into real online scam patterns
- analysis of police materials
- narrative concept
- screenplay
- direction
- directing actors
- filming in several locations
- editing
- colour grading
- animation of correspondence and on-screen elements
- post-production
- social campaign film production
- film production and post-production
WORK WITH MANKO / SENIOR VOICE
Senior safety communicated in different ways
“American Soldier” is one of a series of productions we created for the MANKO Association / Senior Voice. Depending on the subject, we use narrative storytelling, humour, a recognisable protagonist or a simple educational message.
DJ Wika — Stop the Manipulation!
A dynamic film from the same campaign, in which DJ Wika's personality and energetic format help communicate a simple safety message to seniors. View case study →
Take Medicines Safely
A humorous campaign film drawing attention to unsafe medication use and the problem of polypharmacy. View case study →
Life Band
A product film combined with communication aimed at seniors, presenting a Comarch solution supporting safety and remote care for older people. View case study →