In light of the upcoming UK Cinema Release of “A Real Pain” on the 8th of January 2025, take a look at some of the key Polish locations that feature in the film and follow in the footsteps of the two main characters played by Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin as they travel to Poland to reconnect with their heritage.

Chopin Airport

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Opened in 1934 by President Ignacy Mościcki, “Warsaw-Okęcie Airport” (now: “Chopin Airport”) has been a silent witness to some dramatic moments in history. Bombed on the first day of World War II, it was partially rebuilt by the Germans, who turned it into a hub for aviation schools and a repair workshop for the Luftwaffe. But when the Germans retreated in 1945, the airport was left in ruins.

After the war, LOT Polish Airlines took charge of its reconstruction, and in 1969, the airport unveiled its International Terminal. In 2001 (but officially adopted in 2010), it was renamed “Chopin Airport”, in honor of one of Poland’s most renowned composers.

Today, “Chopin Airport” stands as the largest airport in this part of Europe – capable of handling the world’s largest aircraft. It also celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2024, making nearly a century of resilience.

Mural alongside the Czechowka River

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The mural alongside the Czechowka River is a meaningful tribute to the Jewish heritage of pre-war Lublin, blending history and art in a striking documentary style. Designed by Jacek Rudzicki, this mural is a narrative crafted from archival photographs taken by Stefan Kiełsznia in the late 1930s. 

These images bring to life the bustling streets of Lublin’s Jewish quarter, Podzamcze, where Polish and Yiddish signboards lined the walls. The mural’s narrative is deepened by the moving words of Jacob Glestein’s poem “Lublin, My Holy City” alongside a 1928 city plan of a Jewish district.

Officially unveiled in 2016, it invites viewers to reflect on the lasting legacy of Jewish culture in the heart of Lublin.

Warsaw Uprising Monument

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The Warsaw Uprising Monument, unveiled on the 1st of August 1989, commemorates the Polish resistance fighters who rose against Nazi occupation in the Warsaw Uprising (1944). Sculpted by Wincenty Kućma and designed by architect Jacek Budyn, the monument captures the insurgents in action, fighting amidst the ruins of their city. However, the path to its creation was filled with political hurdles.

During communist rule, the Uprising’s legacy was suppressed. Previous attempts to build such a monument were stopped. It wasn’t until the 1980s, when anti-communist sentiment was growing and the political crisis deepening, that the government sought to acknowledge the Uprising.

The decision to build the monument sparked intense debate, with veterans and other groups criticizing its design and symbolism. However, its unveiling on the 45th anniversary of the Uprising happened just as communist rule was fading, giving the event a stronger historical impact.

Monument of the Ghetto Heroes

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The Ghetto Heroes Monument in Warsaw is a striking tribute to the Jewish resistance fighters who stood against Nazi oppression during the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, which took place from April 19 to May 16 in 1943. It was designed by Leon Suzin and sculpted by Nathan Rapoport, becoming a symbol of remembrance and resilience. 

Unveiled in 1948, the monument’s height was chosen to echo the Weeping Wall in Jerusalem and the ghetto walls. At the center is a striking sculpture of Mordechai Anielewicz, the leader of the Uprising, holding a grenade. 

The monument is a key site for commemorations, including the uprising’s anniversary and International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Over the years, it has drawn visits from figures like John Paul II, Bill Clinton, Willy Brandt, Yuri Gagarin, and the Dalai Lama XIV, who came to honor the victims of the Holocaust.

Oldest Jewish Grave in Poland

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The Old Jewish Cemetery in Lublin, located on the Grodzisko Hill, is home to the oldest Jewish grave in Poland, that of the renowned Talmudist Jakub Kopelman, who passed away in 1541. It is currently the oldest Jewish headstone in Poland, standing at the original burial site.

In 1555, King Sigismund II Augustus granted Jews the right to use part of the hill (which later on expanded) as a burial ground, a privilege that solidified the cemetery’s significance. Despite suffering frequent desecration during wars, the graveyard has endured, preserving its rich history. 

The site’s development reflects the evolution of Jewish funerary art, with the preserved gravestones showcasing changes from the early 16th century to the 1830s.

Hotel Victoria

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Hotel Victoria in Warsaw built between 1974 and 1976, stands on the historic site of the former Kronenberg Palace. A plaque at the entrance commemorates the legacy of Leopold Kronenberg, a prominent banker, investor, and financier of Jewish heritage. 

Leopold Kronenberg was the creator of the largest Polish bank in the second half of the 19th century – “Bank Handlowy”, founded in Warsaw in 1870. The bank, which still operates today, had a branch in Petersburg and played a significant role in various industries. Kronenberg was also a key figure in Poland’s fight for independence. In 1861, he became a member of the leadership of the secret “Oboz Białych” (White Party) and financially supported the uprising.

The hotel’s name, “Victoria”, reflects its connection to “Plac Zwycięstwa” (Victory Square), the location’s name at the time of its construction. Today, it remains a symbol of Warsaw’s rich history and the city’s ongoing transformation.

Find out more about “A Real Pain” and check showtimes near you HERE.

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