The film “Cywia and Rachel: They Resisted in the Warsaw Ghetto”, directed by the Polish-French filmmaker Rafael Lewandowski, will be presented this year at the Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival with the support of the Polish Institute. The film tells the story of Rachel Auerbach (1903–1976) and Cywia Lubetkin (1914–1978), two women who played central roles in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, tracing their backgrounds, the course of events, and the lasting impact of one of the most iconic acts of Jewish resistance.

Narrated by legendary French actor Mathieu Amalric, the film offers profound insights into the lives of these two remarkable women who survived persecution and destruction and became key figures in the uprising. In April 1943, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising erupted with unprecedented force, defying impossible odds and leaving an indelible mark on the history of World War II. Although the uprising is recognized as a symbol of courage and resistance, the stories of many fighters – especially women – have largely been forgotten.

Through the intertwined stories of Auerbach and Lubetkin, the film uncovers overlooked dimensions of this historic resistance. Using rare testimonies and previously unseen archival footage, it explores the intersection between personal bravery and broader historical forces, shedding new light on an often-silenced chapter of the uprising.

Rafael Lewandowski is a Polish-French director, screenwriter and producer, and a graduate of the prestigious La Fémis film school. Since the beginning of his career, he has created more than a dozen documentaries and worked with television networks, cultural institutions, and international organizations. His feature debut The Mole received wide acclaim and won awards at film festivals around the world. Alongside his creative work, Lewandowski teaches in film workshops and serves as a jury member and chair at numerous festivals.

Since 1995 he has been a regular lecturer, an expert for film funding institutions, and a juror or jury chair at many festivals. He is also the founder of Vertigo, an independent production company based in Warsaw. In 2011 he received the Polityka Passport, and in 2015 he was awarded the title of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government.

Screening Details – “Cywia and Rachel: They Resisted in the Warsaw Ghetto”:

Monday, 15.12 | 17:00

Jerusalem Cinematheque | Hall 3

Address: 11 Hebron Road, Jerusalem

Tickets reservation

90 minutes | Polish, French | Subtitles in Hebrew and English

A second screening will take place on Wednesday, 17.12 at 16:00 at the Wiener Library for the Study of the Nazi Era and the Holocaust, Tel Aviv University.

The event is organized in cooperation with AEMJP (European Association of the POLIN Museum), the Institute of Polish Jewish Studies and Israel–Poland Relations at Tel Aviv University, and the Wiener Library for the Study of the Holocaust.

The program includes light refreshments at 16:00, followed by a panel discussion at 16:30 (in English) with filmmaker Rafael Lewandowski, Dr. Sharon Geva (historian and head of the History Department at Seminar Hakibbutzim), and Anna Żylińska from POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw. The film screening begins at 17:00, followed by an open discussion with the audience. Admission is free with prior registration.

This year’s Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival will focus on themes of Jewish identity and culture, intercultural dialogue, and their expression in local and international cinema. As in previous years, the festival will take place during Hanukkah at the Jerusalem Cinematheque and will feature more than 30 films from 15 countries, alongside special events, meetings with guests, creators, and actors, premieres, lectures, panels, and joint candle-lighting. Throughout the week, special programs will highlight content relevant to the current moment.