A documentary about the contemporary witness Stanisław Zalewski
Behind the scenes
Stanisław Zalewski spent a total of 600 days in captivity and in the Nazi concentration camps. Like many other contemporary witnesses, he found it difficult for a long time to talk about what he had experienced; the memories were too painful. Magdalena Żelasko and Michał Kozioł accompanied Zalewski for over three years, exploring his memories. Over 100 hours of film footage shot from Auschwitz-Birkenau, Gusen, Warsaw, and Vienna were edited to create a nearly 100-minute documentary, true to the motto #NeverAgain.”
“When I met 94-year-old Stanisław Zalewski in Vienna, I was captivated by his story. Despite spending 600 days in concentration camps, he remains full of life, working and travelling to share his experiences. Zalewski is the only active witness from Gusen still attending commemorative events. Inspired by his vivid memories, I documented his life over three years, resulting in a nearly 100-minute film. The film will be shown in over 10 countries, aiming to educate younger generations. I hope you'll watch it soon!”
„Stanisław Zalewski a supraviețuit lagărelor de la Auschwitz, Mauthausen și Gusen ca prizonier politic. Regizoarea Magdalena Żelasko l-a însoțit atunci când s-a reîntors în acele locuri, l-a lăsat să-și spună povestea și i-a acordat timpul dorit pentru a-și transmite mesajul. Timp de trei ani, ea i-a fost alături în călătoriile sale, iar apoi i-a redat amintirile în mare parte cronologic, fără artificii dramaturgice. A adunat 100 de ore de material. În cele din urmă, acestea au devenit cele 100 de minute ale filmului.”
«Αν ψάχνετε για χλιδή και πολυτελή σκηνοθεσία αλά Netflix, αυτή η ταινία δεν είναι για εσάς. Και αυτό είναι καλό, γιατί η Magdalena Żelasko αφήνει απλώς τον πρωταγωνιστή της να πει την ιστορία του. Έχει πολλά να πει, ακόμη και για συγκριτικά κοινότυπα πράγματα, όπως το πώς οι κρατούμενοι στο Άουσβιτς μοιράζονταν το καθημερινό τους ψωμί σε ομάδες των πέντε ατόμων ή το πώς οι Κάπος τους έκλεβαν τα πιο θρεπτικά μέρη του δοχείου της σούπας χρησιμοποιώντας ένα κόλπο με την κουτάλα. Ασχολείται επίσης ανοιχτά με το θέμα της σεξουαλικότητας, η οποία ήταν πανταχού παρούσα στο στρατόπεδο. Η ταινία έχει τις πιο δυνατές στιγμές της στο Γκούζεν, από όλα τα μέρη, το οποίο είχε ξεχαστεί για δεκαετίες ως «στρατόπεδο-δορυφόρος» του Μαουτχάουζεν, όπου ο Zalewski αναγκάστηκε να συμμετάσχει ως κρατούμενος στην παραγωγή οπλισμού. Η αυξανόμενη κενότητα της θεσμικής μνήμης του Ολοκαυτώματος γίνεται πολύ απτή εκεί.».
Stanisław Zalewski, who was born in Poland in 1925, experienced the invasion of Poland by the Wehrmacht and the outbreak of the Second World War as a 13-year-old. In the years that followed, he had contact with various resistance groups. He was arrested by the Gestapo in 1943 and was sent to the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp, from there to the Mauthausen concentration camp, and finally to the Gusen concentration camp in Upper Austria.
Stanisław Zalewski, who will soon be 100 years old, has been tirelessly active since 2008 as Chairman of the Polish Association of Former Political Prisoners of Nazi Prisons and Concentration Camps and member of the International Auschwitz Committee.
Media representatives will find a range of photo and video material, which they may only use in the context of reporting on the film „Ambassador of Remembrance.“ A press kit will follow shortly. It is possible to interview Stanisław Zalewski in person or online.
Please send enquiries to [email protected].
We would be pleased to receive a copy of your article or contribution.
If you are a journalist or press photographer and wish to be admitted to our press distribution list, please send a short email with the subject “Press ZALEWSKI” containing your name, the name of your publisher, your email address, and your phone number to [email protected]. Thank you.
Become part of the #NeverAgain movement and stay connected to the protagonist and the film team! Maybe you would like to host a screening of our film, invite our protagonist or our crew to your panel, or know just the right space to place our postcards or posters? No matter how big or small your contribution is, it is an important step towards a more tolerant society. Help us spread the word about the film and Stanisław Zalewski’s activities against forgetting and join the virtual movement of people who care for the past and the future.
