Still Life in Lodz 2021

A large still-life painting has held a significant presence in the life of Lilka Elbaum, gracing the wall above her childhood bed in Lodz, Poland. This piece of art, perhaps dating back to when the building first welcomed inhabitants in the late 1890s, was the first thing her eyes fell upon each morning and the last sight as she drifted off to sleep. Over the years, it has silently witnessed the turbulent history of the Jewish families that once lived there, transitioning to a German family during the war, before returning to her Jewish family post-war. The painting bore witness to the heart-wrenching expulsions of Polish Jews, particularly in October 1968, when Lilka and many others were forced to leave Poland.

In the poignant film “Still Life in Lodz,” the symbolism of the painting enlightens the narrative of Lilka’s journey as she now resides in Boston, longing to reconnect with her past. Her quest leads her back to Lodz, alongside companions such as Paul Celler, a fellow New Yorker, and Roni Ben Ari, an Israeli who, like Lilka, shares profound connections to the city and a yearning to unearth remnants of family memories.

Directed by the acclaimed Slawomir Grünberg, a celebrated documentary filmmaker and esteemed Emmy-award winner, the film delicately explores the once-thriving Jewish community of Lodz. It captures its near-total obliteration during the Shoah, traces its revival in the aftermath of the war, and examines the forced expulsion in 1968, leading up to the present-day Jewish community. Employing a unique blend of archival footage, authentic Ghetto drawings, modern creative animation techniques, and contemporary documentary sequences, this historical essay unfolds a powerful narrative that honors the resilience and rich history of Lodz’s Jewish heritage.