IN FORTUNE’S DEBT
POLISH TITLE: RACHUNEK SZCZĘŚCIA
Stella Czajkowska is one of the few known survivors of the dreaded gas chambers of WWII. The trail of her life is a fascinating one, having turned on luck in the most pivotal moments. But, given the fortunes of fate and history, is she a happy woman? This documentary is the first film ever made about Stella, a woman of exceptionally strong character caught in a remarkable, intriguing story. The film is daring. It weaves collages from an experimental blend of archival photos, old movies, and sketches into a unified, visually compelling composition. The effect moves the audience to the rhythm and feel of Stella's life and memories -- and is accompanied by none other than Stella Czajkowska herself on piano.
- GENRE:
- documentary
- COUNTRY:
- Polska
- RUNNING TIME:
- 74'
- YEAR:
- 2010
- DIRECTING:
- Ireneusz Dobrowolski
- SCRIPT:
- Andrzej Bart
- DOP:
- Romuald Lewandowski
- EDITOR:
- Ireneusz Dobrowolski, Przemysław Grela
- MUSIC:
- Ira Coehn
- PRODUCTION:
- Rekontrplan
Ireneusz Dobrowolski »
He studied theatre knowledge at National Film and Theatre School in Warsaw and was awarded a Ministry of Culture scholarship, which let him attend the Directing Department of National Institute of Film and Theatre Art in Kiev. Since 1990 he has made and co-operated in making various documentary films about theatre, including: „Hubner”, „Teatr i polityka”, „Dziady 1968”, „Profesor”, „Ket-Puzyna”, „Teatr w telewizji”. Afterwards he has developed advertising campaigns for several companies including PZU S.A., as well as made various videoclips and documentary films like „Tajemnice gór Sowich”, „Kościół w piekle”, „Tajemnice służewskiego wzgórza”. In the meantime he was also employed as Art Director of Canal+ (1996/1997), Wizja TV in Great Britain (1998) and Tele 5 (2002). In 2003 he has founded Grupa Filmowa Rekontrplan (Rekontrplan Film Group), where he made documentaries: „Historia miłości”, „Tańczący z dragami”, documentary soap opera for Polish national channel TVP2 „Klinika małych stworzeń” and videoclips including „Kraków” for Grupa Myslowitz. He has written librettos for the musicals: „Opentaniec”, „Modus Creati” and „Razem możemy więcej” (in case of the last two he was also the producer and staging director). The premiere performances were given at National Theatre of Warsaw.„Portrecista” is the most important documentary project in his career.
AT FESTIVALS:
- 12th Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival, Israel, 2010 (screening)