Film & Discussion: House of the World
dir. Esther Podemski
(54 mins., documentary, 16mm)
Poland/US, 1998
The filmmaker will be present for a post-film discussion.
Esther Podemski’s deeply felt, excavating documentary sees her traveling to Poland with a group of her parents’ contemporaries in an attempt to trace the history of an old family photograph. Visiting old hometowns such as Poddebice and Lodz, we meet many Jews directly affected by the Holocaust—including the custodian of an unforgettable, immense Jewish cemetery. Physical traces of the history of the Jews in Poland survive, like an empty field with a lone memorial tablet, but those family members, friends, and colleagues who perished live on in the memories of those who survived. House of the World is an emotional, poignant film made up of historical imagery, snapshots of Jewish life in Poland, archival music, and contemporary footage—all together, a vital record of a people.
This film is presented in partnership with the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, the Northwest Film Center, and the Institute for Judaic Studies. Tickets for Portland Art Museum members are $8.
Purchase ticketsAccessibility
The Portland Art Museum is pleased to offer accommodations to ensure that our programs are accessible and inclusive. All spaces for this program are accessible by wheelchair. Assistive listening devices are also available for lectures. All restrooms have accessible stalls but no power doors. There are single-stall all-gender bathrooms available. Please ask staff for directions.
We will do our best to accommodate your needs when you arrive, however, we need 2-3 weeks advance notice for some specific requests. Please email requests to access@pam.org, or call 503-226-2811.
