Private Project

Here I Stand

Here I stand - a videopoem to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Nazi concentration camps, while remembering other victims of genocides that took place in the 20th Century.

This poem is based on a survivor’s story, who, when he arrived in Auschwitz, lied about his age.
He wanted to stay with his mother, but she whispered to him “go with your brother” thus saving his life.

The poem is voiced by a woman and a man with echoes. The footage and photos are from memorials of the Holocaust in Europe, layered. The quotes from survivors provide breathing space, time to reflect and the one in the middle from the Bible represents the turning point from death to birth, or the liberation.

  • Csilla Toldy
    Director
  • Csilla Toldy
    Writer
  • Csilla Toldy
    Producer
    The Bloom Mystery, Belfast Exposed, Bussokusekika
  • Jason Benson
    Key Cast
    "son"
  • Sinead Parfitt
    Key Cast
    "mother"
  • Andras David
    Camera
  • Alistair Livinstone
    Camera
  • Ferenc Komjati
    Camera
  • Tom McFarland
    Sound
  • Michael McGlynn/ Anúna
    Music
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 16 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 23, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    France, Hungary, United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital HD
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Distribution Information
  • Csilla Toldy
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Csilla Toldy

Csilla Toldy, MA, FHA - writer and artist
I received a masters
degree in Creating Writing for Film and Television from Sheffield University in 2003
Since 1989 I have worked as script editor, interviewer and screenplay writer. Projects included:
* "Visszauton" A 50’ documentary about an anthroposophic drug rehabilitation commune in Germany for
the Hungarian Television.
* Music videos for Deborah Henson-Conant, George Jinda and the World News, Scorpio and Bang-
Bang. MaxxMedia
I wrote the Hungarian original script for the film Instant Karma. I moved to England for this work early
1996. The script received a development loan from the MEDIA II Programme of the European Union.
In 1997 finished another film script with the title “Finding Freedom” developed with British Screen. The
script was further developed with the Second Central European Sundance Workshop in 1998.
At the end of September 1998 I moved to Northern Ireland and now live in Rostrevor, at the border
between South and North. After having researched for a year I wrote a new film script with the support of
the Northern Ireland Film Commission. "Blessed Mary. “Blessed Mary” was further developed at an
ARISTA story editor workshop in 2001, supported by the Northern Ireland Film Commission and Screen
Ireland. Blessed Mary was quarterfinalist in the Final Draft Big Break Competition in 2019
In 2006 I set up Virag Productions and produced and directed “The Bloom Mystery”, a 26 minute short
documentary in coproduction with Duna Muhely, Hungary 2007. The film was screened at the 39th
Hungarian Film Festival, and at Bloomsday festivals internationally, including the Segal Centre of
Montreal. The company produced short documentaries and video poems as an art.
Awards: Winner of the Hartley – Merill Prize in Hungary in 2003 and was awarded the Special
Prize of the Motion Pictures Association.
Winner of the Katapult feature film synopsis competition in 2006.
Video Art: “Point” 3.5 minute experimental short, Writer/Director/Producer supported by Northern
Ireland Screen, exhibited in Leno Gallerie Berlin, screened at the Toronto Wildsound Festival
Hommage to a Towering Shade - screened at Videoholica Festival in Sofia
Bussokusekika - film poem screened at ZEBRA Poetry Film Festival Munster
Belfast Exposed and Storm in East Belfast two 6 minute video poems exhibited at D-Light Studios in
Dublin in 2019
Busokusekika 1.5’, Belfast Exposed 6’ and Storm in East Belfast 6’ selected for the 8th International
Videopoetry Festival in 2019
In 2020 TEO commissioned a public art work for Holocaust Memorial Day.
Here I stand - 6’ videopoem
Here I stand - Memories report film 34.34’

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

When researching the Holocaust I travelled to Auschwitz with my Hungarian mother, who was 87 at the time. She was a child witness of the Holocaust in Hungary. It was a harrowing experience for both of us, but it gave my mother closure, for she saw where her friend Klara was taken at the age of 13. In this film I wanted to resonate with the theme of the Holocaust Memorial Day, which is "Standing together", remembering other genocides of the 20th Century, making a point of this not only being a Jewish issue. I aimed to convey a positive message and a sense of closure.