The meeting began with a screening of the film directed by Jesse Eisenberg, for which Kieran Culkin received an Oscar in the ‘Best Supporting Actor’ category. In a conversation after the screening, Ewa Puszczyńska talked about why she decided to produce ‘A Real Pain’, revealed some behind-the-scenes details about its creation, and shared her insights on the future of cinema related to the Holocaust.
Michał Śliwkiewicz described the biggest challenges he faced when organising the crew's work at the locations chosen for the film. He also repeatedly pointed out the restrictions imposed on filmmakers who shoot in such special places as the site of a former concentration camp.
Ewa Puszczyńska – award-winning film producer. She has produced such films as Ida, Zimna Wojna (Cold War), and Zone of Interest. She works on European and international film co-productions. She teaches film production at the National Film, Television and Theatre School in Łódź. She is an expert at the Polish Film Institute. She is a member of the American and European Film Academies. Since 2022, she has been the chair of the Oscar Committee, which selects the Polish candidate for the Oscars. Variety magazine has included her name on its list of the 500 most influential people in the media industry. She has been awarded the Gloria Artis Gold Medal for Merit to Culture.
Michał Śliwkiewicz – graduate of the National Film, Television and Theatre School in Łódź, active scout, production manager for film locations for many films and series. Responsible for selecting locations for, among others, Zimna Wojna (Cold War), Zone of Interest, and A Real Pain. Three times nominated by the International Location Managers Guild for the award for best film locations. He has been involved in the film industry for over a dozen years.