Photographer

Description

“A touching and exceptionally moving way of telling a story already told many times. Founded on thorough research, with a suggestive narrative structure and elegant use of well known means in film language, it captures the audience and evokes deep emotions.” -PRIX EUROPA

Synopsis

In 1987, about 400 color slides photographed between 1939 and 1943 in the Lodz Ghetto in Poland, surfaced in mint condition in Vienna. They were taken by the ghetto’s top Nazi administrator: Walter Genewein. In PHOTOGRAPHER, Polish director Dariusz Jablonski juxtaposes the color slides with Genewein’s detailed notes on the color quality of the slides and the ghetto’s production figures, never reflecting on the human tragedy he is recording.

Director

Dariusz Jablonski

“Jabłoński is a graduate of the Film Directing Academy in Łódź, Poland. He has worked on the biggest films in Polish cinematography – as a Second Director on ‘Decalogue’ by Krzysztof Kieślowski and as First Assistant Director on the ‘White Visiting Card’ and ‘Magnate’ by Filip Bajon. He produced and directed ‘The Visit of an Elderly Lady’ (1986) — the first Polish independent film — and Photographer (1998), which received a number of international film awards: Grand Prix FIPA D’OR and Prix Planete in Biarritz (1999); Grand Prix VPRO Joris Ivens Award at IDFA in Amsterdam (1998); Prix Europa for Best Non-fiction TV Program (1998); Best Documentary in Banff (1999); Best Documentary at Double Take, Durham; Grimme Prize in Germany (2000); Bavarian TV Prize (1999).

His work has also been screened at the TOP TEN Mediaforum Conference in Cologne. In addition, he has won awards at many international and Polish film festivals.

In 1990 he founded Apple Film Productions, which has produced more than 21 documentaries, 15 feature films and numerous tele-plays. Most of these were co-produced by Polish Television, Canal+, WDR, ARTE as well as other international producers. Additionally, many of these productions have received myriad international film awards.

Jabłoński is a founder of the Polish Film Awards and the Polish Film Academy as well as of the Independent Film Foundation, created to promote Art House films and their writers. The Independent Film Foundation is also running “ScripTeast,” an innovative training program designed specifically for experienced scriptwriters from Eastern and Central Europe. He has finished many special courses (ex. European Film College) and received many international scholarships for European film professionals. He is also a member of the European Film Academy.”