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This film covers the fascinating life of the Polish-Jewish microbiologist Ludwik Hirszfeld and his wife Hanna, as well as a scientist. Just like many other Jewish and non-Jewish scientists from Eastern Europe, Ludwik Hirszfeld´s life has been frequently overlooked, although he made important inventions, amongst them the blood group system as we know it today or details on the serological conflict between mother and fetus. He lived quite a fascinating transnational life in Germany, Switzerland, Serbia, Poland and the US and witnessed all the political systems the 20th century brought about. During WWII, the Hirszfelds were forced to live in the Warsaw Ghetto, where they tried to continue research and engaged in teaching students in a clandestine medical school. In 1942 they managed to flee the Ghetto and continued their lives under the conditions of State Socialism in Poland.

Katrin Steffen, a Fellow at the Weidenfeld Institute and the DAAD Chair of European and Jewish History and Culture has published a book on Hirszfeld and served as an advisor to this film, in which she also will be heard. The film has been shown in Poland in a short version, and now the filmmakers are trying to collect money for an extended English version – it is an independent production without any funding from Polish state institutions. The funding works in a way that the sums people declare they are willing to give will only be collected in case the overall target of € 24.650 will be reached.

It would be a great success if the film could be shown as well in London, where as well the closest descendant and heir of the Hirszfelds, Joanna Belin, lived for many years following World War II. It would be very much appreciated if you could consider supporting this film and making the fascinating life of this couple more accessible beyond Poland. Many thanks for considering! 

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