Film
10.11.2024

22nd WJFF: "Vishniac" – film show

Portrait of Roman Vishniac – flamboyant and shameless self-promoter, bender of the truth but also one of the groundbreaking photographers of the 20th century, best known for his iconic images of Jewish life in Eastern Europe just before WWII.

"Vishniac," dir. Laura Bialis, USA, 2023, 95’, documentary feature film – POLISH PREMIERE, COMPETITION

In 2015, we presented the work of Roman Vishniac at POLIN Museum in a monographic exhibition "Roman Vishniac: Photography, 1920–1975." In it, we encountered Roman Vishniac—a versatile and innovative photographer whose work profoundly influenced the contemporary image of Jewish life in Eastern Europe. Laura Bialis’ film sheds new light on Vishniac, allowing us to view his artistic and academic endeavors through the prism of his exceptionally rich personality.

He was difficult and flamboyant, a shameless self-promoter, bender of the truth and master of reinvention. He was also one of the groundbreaking photographers of the 20th century – a brilliant artist whose body of work spans decades, continents, and the catastrophic fallout from two world wars. Though his pioneering microscopy transformed the nature of science photography, Roman Vishniac is best known for his iconic images of Jewish life in Eastern Europe from 1935 through 1938. Few predicted that these communities would be soon wiped out, and Vishniac’s photographs would provide the last visual records of an entire world. Now for the first time, his story comes to life as a feature documentary.

A retrospective and family saga, VISHNIAC is narrated by Vishniac’s daughter Mara. She grew up in his shadow and sought to break free of his grip, only to eventually come around and embrace his legacy. Executive Producers: Nancy Spielberg, Ori Eisen, Mirit Eisen, Taube Philanthropies, Maimonides Fund.

After the screening of the film we invite you to a Q&A with filmmaker Laura Bialis.

Additional information:

  • Language: English
  • Subtitles: Polish
  • Rating: 16+ 
  • Festivals and awards:
    • Santa Barbara International Film Festival
    • Toronto Jewish Film Festival
    • San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
    • Docaviv, Berlin Jewish Film Festival – The Best Documentary.