Polanski, Horowitz. The Wizards From the Ghetto
Polanski, Horowitz. The Wizards From the Ghetto

Polanski, Horowitz. The Wizards From the Ghetto

2021
Movie
70 min
Polish

Filmmaker Roman Polanski and photographer Ryszard Horowitz meet in Kraków, Poland, where, strolling the streets, they share memories of their childhood and youth, the hardest days of their lives, when, during World War II, they met in the ghetto established by the Nazi occupiers.

Read Reviews

Insights

Director: Roman Polanski, Ari HorowitzGenres: Documentary, History

Plot Summary

This documentary explores the controversial legacy of Roman Polanski and his connections to the Jewish community and the historical context of the Warsaw Ghetto. It delves into his early life, his experiences during the Holocaust, and his later career, raising questions about identity, guilt, and artistic responsibility. The film weaves together archival footage, interviews, and personal reflections to examine a complex and often uncomfortable past.

Critical Reception

As a documentary that tackles sensitive and complex themes, "Polanski, Horowitz. The Wizards From the Ghetto" has generated significant discussion and varied critical responses. Some critics lauded its in-depth exploration of Polanski's personal history and its nuanced approach to difficult subject matter. Others expressed reservations, questioning the film's focus and the ethical considerations of engaging with Polanski's life and work given his legal troubles. Audience reception has also been divided, reflecting the polarizing nature of its subject.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its historical depth and attempt to contextualize Polanski's life.
  • Criticized for its leniency towards the subject and its controversial nature.
  • Provokes thought on the relationship between art, artist, and historical trauma.

Google audience: Audience reviews are highly polarized, with some appreciating the documentary's historical investigation and others finding it deeply problematic due to the subject matter and the filmmaker's personal history.

Fun Fact

The film's title, "The Wizards From the Ghetto," is a direct reference to a book of the same name that Polanski himself encountered in his youth, which is explored within the documentary as a formative influence.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review