To Poland and Back ( Pologne Aller Retour ) ( To Poland & Back )

To Poland and Back (DVD) (*)

~~$27.99~~ $21.97

Original Title: Pologne Aller Retour
Alternate Title: To Poland & Back
Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital Stereo )
French ( Dolby Digital Stereo )

Product Origin/Format:
France ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
70 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.78:1)

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 2012 and produced in:
France ( France, Benelux )

Directed By:
Anna Pitoun

Written By:
Anna Pitoun

Actors:
Anna Pitoun

Synopsis:

During this five day journey, as it moves from Auschwitz-Birkenau and Treblinka, Anna Pitoun acts as a witness, capturing it on film. Very quickly, travellers from both communities who did not know each other, converse, exchanging experiences and stories. The terrible story of extermination of millions of human beings is the main focus, but slowly, day after day, the aspirations of life and the hope of the future take over. In the laughter and songs, the Jewish and Gypsie's cultures discover each other and come together. Many questions are raised on what constitutes a people, and its identity. Gypsies do not talk about the death, it is a taboo subject for them. But if they cannot talk about death, how can they be witnesses of their past to the young generation? Yet the young generation want to know of their past, which determines their identity. Benjamin Orenstein, a survivor from Auschwitz takes part in this journey. Born in Poland in 1926, he promised himself that he will never return to Poland. Since the rise of populism and negationism in Europe, he comes back on his promise, and makes the journey. He recounts his experience with explicit detail, emotion and precision.

At the beginning, the idea was to film something unprecedented, a journey bringing together Jews and Gypsies from France on the land of deportation. For the first time, a Jewish Association invites Associations of Gypsies to join them. The four largest National Associations of French Gypsies responded positively to this invitation. A few others will also join. Within months the trip is organised. Jewish and Gypsies musicians participate in a concert to raise funds. World renowned Yiddish, Klezmer and Gypsie musicians performed at the concert. During this five day journey, as it moves from Auschwitz-Birkenau and Treblinka, Anna Pitoun acts as a witness, capturing it on film. Very quickly, travellers from both communities who did not know each other, converse, exchanging experiences and stories. The terrible story of millions of human exterminated is the main focus, but slowly, day after day, the aspirations of life and the hope of the future take over. In the laughter and songs, the Jewish and Gypsies cultures discover each other and come together. Many questions are raised on what constitutes a people, and its identity. Gypsies do not talk about the death, it is a taboo subject for them. But if they cannot talk about death, how can they be witnesses of their past to the young generation? Yet the young generation want to know of their past, which determines their identity. They question ' who am I?' What does it mean to be a people? What constitutes a community? What is the responsibility of a community within the context of a witness to its history? What does it mean to be Jewish or a Gypsy? Benjamin Orenstein, a survivor from Auschwitz takes part in this journey. Born in Poland in 1926, he promised himself that he will never return to Poland. Since the rise of populism and negationism in Europe, he comes back on his promise, and makes the journey. He recounts his experience with explicit detail, emotion and precision.

This product was added to our catalog on Friday 07 December, 2012.

Customers who bought this product also purchased

The Sicilian (DVD)	A Strange Course of Events (DVD)	Lemon and Poppy Seed Cake (2021) (DVD)
Across the Waters (2016) (Blu-Ray)	A Summer in La Goulette (1996) (Blu-Ray)	Tangerine (DVD)