The film tells the story of those who hid Jews during the German occupation in Warsaw during World War II.
Production: TVP
Date: 2008
Director: Julia Popławska
Run Time: 25 min
I worked for the “Polin” Museum of the History of Polish Jews for a few years. I organized funds from the TVP (Polish National Television) and the “Polin” Museum to make this documentary.
I wanted to meet and take a closer look at those who had helped the Jews during World War II in Warsaw. I was very curious about their stories. My characters had mostly been children at the time. They couldn’t take mature decisions then, it was their parents‘ responsibility. But even as youngsters and teenagers they tried to help, risking their lives as did the mature members of their families.
While shooting, I realised that during the war most crucial items which helped to survive were: jewelry (not even money) and a secret shelter. I was deeply moved by the stories I heard.
“The Polish Righteous” was aired many times on TVP and is still avaliable on the youtube channel of the Polin Museum
Józef Walaszczyk tells how twenty-one individuals were freed from prison for one kilogram of gold. Alicja Schnepf-Szczepaniak describes how an escapee was saved in a hiding-place created in a couch. Czesława Żak recalls how fourteen Jews were hidden for over two years. Ryszard Zieliński hid a Jewish family who had been smuggled out of the Warsaw ghetto.
Julia Popławska 
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