this unfamiliar place
A man refuses to speak about his fugitive childhood in Nazi-occupied Poland. Decades later, a natural disaster leads his daughter to ask him about the history he has guarded for so long. A heartrending meditation on the devastation of war, and the intersection of love, secrets and silence.
Documentary • 10 minutes • color
REVIEWS
"...Intense, moving, suggestive and understated..."
– Michael Berenbaum, Director, The Shoah Foundation
"A breathtakingly poignant and unique film that is sure to ignite discussion..."
– Joshua Aronson, Ph.D., Steinhardt School of Culture Education & Human Development, New York University
"...Says more about World War II, displacement and pain than many films ten times longer...Very sensitive, personal and moving."
– Jonas Mekas, Anthology Film Archive
"... A subtle film about the most poignant aspects of our humanity. It should be viewed and discussed in schools where in a maelstrom of information we have too few opportunities to educate the heart."
– Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul
FESTIVALS & AWARDS
Academy Award, Short Documentary Regional Winner
Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Regional Television Award
Sundance Film Festival Selection
Special Jury Award, International Documentary Association
Best of Festival & Best Documentary Short Subject, Cleveland International Film Festival
Gold Hugo, Chicago International Film Festival
Best Documentary, Utah Short Film & Video Festival
Award of Excellence, Ann Arbor Film Festival
Atlanta Film & Video Festival Best Student Documentary
Merit Award, Louisville Film & Video Festival
Merit Award, Cork International Film Festival
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Written, directed, shot and edited by Eva Ilona Brzeski
Camera assistance: Wendy McLaughlin
Sound recording: Wendy McLaughlin and Rachel Rosen
Original music : Scott M. Starrett