Synopsis
Meister is a first-hand narrative documentary that follows the extraordinary journey of Jack Meister OAM, born Icek Kapelmeister in Kielce, Poland. At 11, he is forced into the Kielce Ghetto and then separated from his family in Auschwitz, never seeing them again.
After his liberation in 1945, he begins the difficult process of rehabilitation in Switzerland, relearning basic life skills and training as a leather worker. He then embarks on a journey to Australia, where he is welcomed despite not speaking the language. Taken in by a local family, taught English by his workmates—who nickname him Jack—and meeting the love of his life at a dance hall, he builds a new future. Now in later life, Jack spends his days sharing his story, ensuring history is never forgotten and highlighting the resilience of the human spirit, as well as the profound impact of starting a new life in Australia.
Story
The documentary is structured as a first-hand, interview-led narrative, with Jack Meister guiding the story in his own words. Jack was adamant that his story be shared as a conversation, reflecting the way he spoke to audiences during his museum talks. Before his passing at 97, we conducted multiple in-depth interviews, forming the backbone of the film.
While the documentary acknowledges the trauma of Jack’s childhood and survival of the Holocaust, its creative focus is on his life after liberation. The narrative begins with Jack’s recovery in Switzerland, where he relearns basic life skills and trains as a leather worker, before following his journey to Australia.
Key characters include the family who welcomed Jack on arrival, his workmates who taught him English and gave him the name Jack, and the woman he met at a dance hall who became his wife. Through these relationships, the film explores renewal, belonging, and the rebuilding of identity after loss.
Production Stage
- Development
- Production
- Post-production
- Completed
- Outreach
DURATION: 15 MINUTES
Issue area
HUMAN RIGHTS & SOCIAL JUSTICE
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