Garri Urban was a survivor – not a victim – of both the Holocaust and Gulag. Born in the shtetl (the Jewish rural community) in 1916, he overcame adversity through a mixture of charm, aggression, and chutzpah. His 1980 autobiographical account of his adventures took its title from when he was shot during his attempt to swim across an icy river from Soviet territory to Romania. He told the snipers who stooped to lift his apparently lifeless body; “no, tovarisch (comrade), I’m not dead” before striking their officer.
In 1992 his son, film-maker Stuart Urban, follows Garri into the former Soviet Union as soon as Communism disintegrates.
The video diaries that were made over a 14 year quest into Garri’s KGB records and the fate of his family in the Holocaust, plus extensive 16mm Kodachrome home movies from the 1950s onwards, form the core of the film, by two-time British Academy award winning director Stuart.
Director/Producer: Stuart Urban
Co-producer, Writer/Editor: Emily Harris
REVIEWS
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
Rated top film to see on release in UK
“The documentary is alive and well. As compelling as it is touching….a gripping documentary.”
James MacLeish, Channel 4 Film
“Profoundly moving, deeply compelling…a fascinating, moving documentary, brimful of twists and tragedies.”
Philip French, The Observer -
“A fascinating documentary….a riveting film about a remarkable man.”
Derek Malcolm, The Evening Standard
“Stuart Urban’s skilfullly patched together film ….proves (Garri Urban’s) life seemed to triumph over everything.”
Catherine Shoard, The Sunday Telegraph
“wholly absorbing documentary…fascinating narrative….really grips.”
Karl French, The Financial Times
“Impressive….memorable….heart-rending”.
Robert Hanks, The Independent
“It’s engaging both as a portrait of the turbulence of life in the 20th century, and of the difficulty of being a father or a son.”
Geoffrey Macnab, Screen International - 25th Sept '07
" A real-life story with as many twists as a Cold War espionage novel."
Wendy Ide, The Times
“A fascinating portrait of a charismatic personality”.
Gerald Aaron, The Jewish Chronicle
“Deeply affecting ….superb documentary….unmissable”.
Allan Hunter, The Daily Express
“A poignant documentary…a compelling account of one man’s extraordinary family history.”
David Parkinson, Empire Magazine
“An intriguing investigation…genuinely moving.”
Edward Lawrenson, The Big Issue Magazine
“Poignant, affectionate portrait of a remarkable character.”
Wally Hammond, Time Out
“Fascinating. Compelling.”
Alison Rowat, The Herald
“An extraordinary and moving tale.
Tom Dawson, The List
“an absorbing and moving tale”
Nev Pierce, BBC Movies
“Intriguing…arresting.”
