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Scandal in Ivansk

Scandal in Ivansk explores the politics of memory through the backdrop of story about a scandal that erupts in a small town in Poland. After certain “memories” are etched into a memorial plaque in the old Jewish cemetery the film offers a metaphor for how individuals and nations shape memory and history to fit their own identity as victim or hero. Scandal in Ivansk explores how memories are sculpted and who are these sculptors of history. In todays atmosphere, where the last witnesses to World War II are quickly disappearing, the film explores sensitive questions of both Poles and Jews about how the heroic or proud moments in their nation’s past are synthesized with the dark stains that they wish to forget.

  • David Blumenfeld
    Director
    Circumcise Me: The Comedy of Yisrael Campbell, Streetball Hafla
  • Ami Drozd
    Director
    My Australia, Mamma's Not Crazy
  • David Blumenfeld
    Writer
  • Ami Drozd
    Writer
  • David Blumenfeld
    Producer
  • Melissa Blumenfeld
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 18 minutes 53 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 1, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    125,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Israel
  • Country of Filming:
    Israel, Poland
  • Language:
    English, Hebrew, Polish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital; HD
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - David Blumenfeld, Ami Drozd

David Blumenfeld is an American/Canadian director and cinematographer living in Jerusalem for the past 15 years. His films include: Circumcise Me: The Comedy of Yisrael Campbell which played at over 50 film festivals and Streetball Hafla, which was aired on PBS and YES (Cable) in Israel. David regularly shoots documentaries for BBC and Vice News.

Ami Drozd is a Polish/Israeli director and editor living in Jerusalem. Ami directed the feature film, My Australia, which won numerous festival awards, and he was chief editor at Israel Television Network for 15 years. He has directed and edited numerous documentary films including Monit LeGondar and Mom is Not Crazy.

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Director Statement

As a filmmaker and photographer I have always been interested in the subjectivity of history – How a person's own experiences, prejudices, and cultural upbringing influence how they pass down stories. This film which began as a personal story about a group of descendants returning to the Old Country to honor their ancestors, turned into a microcosm of how memories, both personal and cultural are shaped.