Danny A. Abeckaser Sets Holocaust Feature Bardejov, Gravitas Ventures Acquires North Ame

Posted by Jenniffer Sheldon on Saturday, January 6, 2024

Danny A. Abeckaser is directing and starring in a new World War II drama, “Bardejov” from a screenplay by Shmuel Lynn. It has already been picked up by Gravitas Ventures for North American distribution next spring.

Also starring Robert Davi, Kyle Stefanski, Dean Miroshnikov, Darren Weiss and Omer Hazan, the film tells the story of the Jews of Bardejov in Slovakia, who were almost completely wiped out during the Holocaust.

Among them was Holocaust survivor Emil A. Fish, who was 9 years old when a Gestapo officer found him and his family hiding and sent them to a concentration camp to suffer the same fate as their many friends and relatives. Fish survived but to this day no Jews live in Bardejov.

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Fish, who is the founder of the Bardejov Jewish Preservation Committee, also makes a cameo in the film and is a producer on the project.

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Israeli-born Abeckaser is a producer, actor and director who has appeared in “The Irishman” among other films. He has also directed “Mob Town” and Emile Hirsch starrer “The Engineer.”

“I was honored to be asked to direct this film, which will hands-down be the most important film I will ever direct,” said Abeckaser. “The story of Emil Fish and the Jews of Bardejov from 1942 warrants proper attention, to educate the world, those of all cultures, on just how horrific and unjust the treatment of Jews during the Holocaust was. This movie is meant to educate and give accurate detail from the perspective of someone who lived through what actually happened. No sugar coating, just the truth, with elements of compassion and family integrated throughout.”

Yoav Gross executive produces while Lionel Cohen has composed the score.

Gravitas Ventures have acquired U.S. and Canadian rights to “Bardejov.” VP of acquisitions Bill Guentzler negotiated the deal with Paul Davidson, who represented the filmmakers.

“Gravitas is proud to be bringing the story of Bardejov to North American audiences this upcoming March,” said Guentzler. “In this historically accurate retelling of the treatment of the Jews of the Slovak village of Bardejov during World War II, viewers will be able to have a glimpse into the atrocities that took place.”

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