Did you ever wonder who your parents really were? What shaped them? What made them the way they were? Why they tried to shape and influence you in a particular way? With the things they did. The things they didn’t do. The things they said. The things they didn’t say. I often wondered about all this. And I don’t think I’m alone.
I grew up in the shadow of the Holocaust. No grandparents. No aunts and uncles around. In their place — big black holes. While my parents tried to shield me from the horror they experienced at the hands of the Nazis in 1940s Poland, they couldn’t protect me from them. My parents had physically survived the ordeal –– but emotionally, that was another thing. Our home was full of secrets. Full of walls. Full of crazy emotions – highs and lows — that were off the charts. My mother was Jewish. My father was Catholic. I was so curious to know the underlying truth. How did they meet? What had happened to make 
these people so strange? If I couldn’t know my parents, how could I ever hope to truly know myself? Eventually, my pursuit of the truth compelled me to go to Poland and confront the ghosts and demons that for so long had tormented my parents. What I learned about their experiences shocked me, horrified me, amazed me, and ultimately — transformed me. The changes are still happening. As a filmmaker, a writer and a teacher, I felt compelled to express the powerful epiphany I experienced: Every family has a story. Every story has a secret. And within that secret lies a treasure. As you explore this site, you’ll learn about my treasure. I hope you’ll be inspired to discover your own.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Martin,
It looks like your vision has become a reality. Congratulations! I can’t wait to see it. It’s hard to imagine, but you’ve nailed it. Every single one of us has a long and romantic back story. Think about how many dates, kisses, and embraces are in each of our pasts, then expand that geometrically for our ancestors. It is the world’s longest-running drama, and you can’t write fiction that good.
I hope you are well, my friend.
Thank you for doing this work. We really need to keep this information ‘alive’ and in the flow of general awareness.
PS. Martin, you so very much resemble your father in that photo, you could pass as his twin.
-V
Martin,
You have captured the spirit of what enduring love is really about and that is perseverance through good times and in bad. I think modern love is only there for the good times and does not know how to last during the challenging times in life. I hope all young people will learn how our parents and grandparents made it through the war and depression and never gave up on life or each other. Your work is an inspiration for our young generation to learn from those who have been through it all.
Congratulations!
Laura
Hello there, I love watching documentries. I was wondering if this one is out yet? I would like to say thank you and I wish you best of my luck.
Thank you for all your efforts and to your family. I have always been drawn to this time and admire those who lived and tell the tale and honor those that lost thier lives. The holocaust has been in my dreams since a small child and it will never be forgotten in my heart and words. I have written my own manuscript of the Roma Gypsies and Ravensbruck camp for women.
Robyn