| Since our last newsletter there has been some interesting news to report. In May, Producer Rod Freedman and myself were on the jury at the Gdynia Film Festival in Poland, along with Richard Moore, director of the Brisbane Film Festival. We were invited there to judge the 'Golden Kangaroo Award' for Best Feature Film produced in Poland in the last year. The Award was created a few years ago by Polish/Australian businessman, Ted Matkowski and designed to promote cross-cultural ties between Australia and Poland. From the 14 finalists, all Polish films, and after much debate, we awarded the prize to 'My Father's Bike' a beautifully told inter-generational story which explores the theme of parenthood. The film's director, Piotr Trzaskalski, will present the film at the upcoming Polish Film Festival to be held in Melbourne and Sydney in October. The lucky director will also enjoy Ted's generous prize of a two week holiday around Australia. We highly recommend the film.
All about the "Remember Me" project
Of course, Rod and I used the opportunity of being in Poland to work on the REMEMBER ME project. In Warsaw, we filmed dramatized footage with a wonderful cast and a crew of young filmmakers as well as researching archival stills and film footage still needed for our story. We had some good luck finding footage but material from the National Archives is expensive, so acquiring it remains an issue for us to resolve. In Warsaw we also had meetings with Polish television executives and our potential Polish co-producers.
After Warsaw, we travelled to Ukraine - to Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and my mother's small village of Oleshiv. All of this was a great experience. Rod had his camera, so we filmed both documentary and dramatised recreations in authentic settings, especially in the village. We had a terrific young woman as our local liaison and translator and enjoyed great co-operation and hospitality from the villagers.
The result of our trip is that we have now filmed the bulk of the footage required to complete the film. (There is just still a small amount of filming to be done in Adelaide).
We are in discussion with a Polish Television network about a possible co-production. They've expressed interest, but we're not sure what this means yet. (We know from Polish industry colleagues that the financial landscape for Polish TV is gloomy. Documentaries, like in Australia, are increasingly hard to fund). If we can get a presale, it will help unlock film funding here in Australia. A proper injection of funds would enable us to complete the film without stopping and starting. This has been the most frustrating part of our journey so far...
We've now spent the funds that many of you have donated directly or via the Kresy Siberia Foundation, so we're working out how to get more in order to keep going. As well as the archival footage cost, the main aim now is to raise money for an editor to work on the next cut of the story and incorporate the new material. Rod and I are of course determined that the project will be finished ... somehow.
So thanks once again for your generous support and commitment. It has been critical in getting the project as far down the track as it is to date.
If you know of others who might also be interested in supporting this important historical story, please encourage them to contribute tax deductible donations through the Kresy-Siberia Foundation. You can forward them the attached form or contact Louise Błażejowska l.blazejowska@optusnet.com.au Every little bit helps - so please spread the word, especially with the end of financial year fast approaching...
And of course we'll keep you updated on future news and developments.
Sophia Turkiewicz and Rod Freedman
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