Film

3May2023Blog post, My Polish WisniaChappaqua, Chelsea Clinton, documentary, Film, Hillary Clinton, How Saba Kept Singing, My Polish Wisnia, pics, Sara Taksler

Watching a movie with Hillary Clinton

This was one of the most meaningful moments of my life.

I was invited to participate in a film screening, performance, and post-film talkback at the Chappaqua Performing Art Center in New York. Yes, I finally got to meet the Executive Producers of our film “How Saba Kept Singing” (and if you do get a chance to sit next to Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea and hear them speak – highly recommend!), but it was also about what this moment crystalized for me. This documentary is not just about my grandfather, or my family’s story, or the power of music, or the legacy of the Holocaust, it is bigger than that – it is indeed all these things, and more. This film has the ability to educate and start conversations and change people’s hearts and open people’s eyes, and I think this is just the beginning.

This was also the first time we gathered with every team that has worked on the film to help bring it in to the world: Retro Report, Hidden Light, Burnt Umber, and many other partners and supporters. It takes a lot of people to make a movie! I am honored to be a part of this project. And I will be forever. This is now a part of my life’s work.

Enjoy a few photos of the evening, with deep gratitude to Friends of Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, host Stacey Saiontz, director Sara Taksler, and the event’s photographer Lisa Wahl.

with executive producer Hillary Rodham Clinton, director Sara Taksler,
the Wisnia family, and producing team Retro Report

post-film discussion with executive producers Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton,
and director Sara Taksler

And in case you haven’t seen or shared “How Saba Kept Singing” yet, now you can! Watch it anytime, streaming in full on YouTube.

You can read more about our travels together by going to the blog at MY POLISH WISNIA.

“How Saba Kept Singing” is the story of how my grandfather’s music saved him in Auschwitz and how music binds the two of us together. To be able to share my own music as part of this film & perform it during each screening is incredibly meaningful. Through music, my Saba lives on.

As the credits roll at the end of the film, you will hear a song I wrote, an original composition called “How Long It’s Been” inspired by the reunion between my Saba and Tzippi, the woman who had a hand in saving my grandfather’s life during the Holocaust.

Hear the song from the film: “How Long It’s Been“

Does Hillary Clinton have an Avi Wisnia kazoo?
You bet she does.

Avi Sara Dan Q&A on stage Saba Philly Premiere

15Apr2023Blog post, My Polish WisniaFilm, How Saba Kept Singing, My Polish Wisnia, Philadelphia, premiere, Sara Taksler, Weitzman Museum

Scenes From the Philadelphia Film Premiere

Sold Out! Standing Room Only!
You absolutely filled this room to the brim.

THANK YOU for coming to the premiere of our film “How Saba Kept Singing” at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia.

I don’t how to express all the feelings, there were so many – but just know that every laugh, every tear, every gasp, every sigh, I felt it right alongside you, and it meant the world to be able to share that with you. I have never felt a room so full of love and intention.

This documentary about my grandfather’s survival is so important to me and my family – and to be in the room with all of you, with you who know us and you who have been following this journey I’ve been on with my Saba, this was the perfect way to celebrate this film ahead of its nation-wide release.

I can’t wait to hear your reactions, what has landed with you, what you took away. Let’s keep talking, and let’s keep telling the story. This is only the beginning.

Watch the TV Premiere on PBS on April 18, 10pm ET
How To Watch >> https://www.pbs.org/show/how-saba-kept-singing/

Photo Credit: Jordan August Photography

You can read more about my travels with my grandfather by going to the blog at MY POLISH WISNIA.

27Mar2023Blog post, My Polish Wisniadocumentary, Film, How Saba Kept Singing, My Polish Wisnia, NMAJH, Philadelphia, premiere, video, Weitzman Museum

How Saba Kept Singing Philadelphia Premiere

You are invited to the Philly Premiere of
How Saba Kept Singing

Many of you know that I performed with my grandfather for many years before he passed away. One of the last trips we took together was to Poland in 2020 to perform one last time. That journey has now been turned into an amazing feature documentary, and I’d like to invite you to come see it!

“HOW SABA KEPT SINGING” will have a theater screening (APR 13) in Philadelphia, in advance of a TV premiere (*edited for time) on PBS! (APR 18)

The feature documentary follows our Wisnia family as we recently travelled back to Poland with my grandfather David, my “Saba,” and reveals the many ways he survived the Holocaust. Not only does the film tell my late grandfather’s incredible story, it also incorporates music by Saba and me, including a song he wrote while a prisoner in Auschwitz which I translated into English.

I hope you will join me and my family at this hometown screening, and help us spread the word about the film so that everyone can hear my grandfather’s story.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Sara Taksler and Avi Wisnia, David’s grandson. The Q&A will end with a special musical performance from Avi. All in attendance are invited to a casual post-film reception with the Wisnia family, including wine and food to celebrate the end of Passover.
*This film screening is likely to sell out, advance reservations recommended.*

Tickets and Information: https://theweitzman.org/events/how-saba-kept-singing/

For those unable to attend the Philly Premiere, you can catch it on PBS TV just a few days later. The documentary will air on Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day, Tuesday April 18 at 10pm ET /9pm CT in the United States (check your local listings).

How To Watch: Download the PBS app on your phone, tablet, or TV streaming device and access programs with PBS Passport. Check local listings for broadcast details in your area as times may vary. Read more at: https://www.pbs.org/show/how-saba-kept-singing/

You can read more about our travels together by going to the blog at MY POLISH WISNIA.

20Mar2023Blog post, My Polish Wisniadocumentary, Film, How Saba Kept Singing, My Polish Wisnia, PBS, premiere, Television

PBS Documentary Premiere

I’ve been waiting a long time to tell you, and now I finally can…
HOW SABA KEPT SINGING will make its televised premiere on PBS this Spring.

The documentary will air on Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day, Tuesday April 18 at 10pm ET /9pm CT in the United States (check your local listings).

The film about how my grandfather David Wisnia survived the Holocaust & our recent journey back to Poland as a family will be on TV! Not only does the film tell my late grandfather’s incredible story, it also incorporates music by my Saba and me, including a song he wrote while a prisoner in Auschwitz.

“Musician David “Saba” Wisnia believed that he survived the horrors of Auschwitz by entertaining the Nazi guards with his beautiful singing voice. Join David and his grandson Avi Wisnia as the pair embark on a journey exploring the mystery of Saba’s past.” Directed by Sara Taksler, and produced by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton.

We are so proud and honored to be able to share this family story with all of you, with everyone, and we hope you will tune in for this special event.

You can help spread the word by posting to social media, here is a sample of what to include:
Watch the TV premiere of this powerful documentary #HowSabaKeptSinging on April 18, 10pm on @PBS. Learn more: https://www.pbs.org/show/how-saba-kept-singing/ @AviWisnia

Stay tuned for more live screenings of the documentary film, including the Philadelphia Premiere Screening & Talkback Event coming up Thursday, April 13.

You can read more about our travels together by going to the blog at MY POLISH WISNIA.

21Oct2022Blog post, My Polish WisniaDavid Wisnia, documentary, Film, How Saba Kept Singing, My Polish Wisnia, New Jersey, One Voice Two Lives, Rutgers Jewish Film Festival, US Premiere

How Saba Kept Singing US Premiere

How Saba Kept Singing is finally coming home, to New Jersey!

The feature documentary about how my grandfather David Wisnia survived the Holocaust & our recent journey back to Poland as a family is here, making its US premiere at the Rutgers Jewish Film Festival in November! “How Saba Kept Singing” incorporates music by my Saba and me, plus an original song I wrote for the film.

This will be a very special screening attended by the Wisnia family.
There will be two screenings, two chances to see the film,
and each screening will conclude with a Q&A and performance by me.
This will be a very meaningful and momentous day. We hope to see you there.

Sunday November 6, 3:30pm & 6:30pm
at Regal Commerce Center, North Brunswick NJ
RESERVE TICKETS

For more on David’s story of survival: www.onevoicetwolives.com

For more about Avi’s music and travels with his grandfather: www.mypolishwisnia.com