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33 Photos From the Ghetto

Play trailer Poster for 33 Photos From the Ghetto 2026 1h 20m Documentary History Play Trailer Watchlist
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33 PHOTOS FROM THE GHETTO tells the story of the only known photographs from inside the Warsaw Ghetto during the April 1943 uprising and its brutal repression that were not taken by German forces. The images, taken secretly by 23-year-old Polish firefighter Zbigniew Leszek Grzywaczewski, who witnessed the devastating response to the uprising as a member of the Warsaw Fire Service, present a rare civilian account of one of World War II’s darkest moments. The film traces two families, one of which is Jewish, who preserved the images for decades but hadn’t brought them to light. 80 years after their creation, the son of the photographer finds the forgotten negatives and launches an investigation. With a team of researchers, archivists, and animators who use near-forensic precision to reconstruct locations and contexts, they trace the circumstances of those tragic days and the lives captured in each frame.
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33 Photos From the Ghetto

Critics Reviews

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Stephen Silver The SS Ben Hecht Feb 12
The film uses modern technology to examine the photographs of the past, for a greater understanding of what happened. Go to Full Review Rachel Wagner Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) Feb 12
A very good documentary about the power of images and the stories they tell. I recommend it Go to Full Review Anne Brodie What She Said Jan 22
4/4
Grzywaczewski’s courage in recording what he saw in 33 photographs, all proof and evidence for future generations to judge and mourn. One survivor couldn’t look at them; she’d tried all her life to forget those days. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alex B @RT22630222 May 11 The movie tells an important story but it is hard to overlook its use of generative AI images. The use of AI to recreate Roma’s memories were already bad enough but I can’t imagine what made the director think it was ok to use AI on a photo of the ghetto burning and make the fire move. I believe it’s highly disrespectful to the victims of the Holocaust to use AI in this way. Also I was not a big fan of that Polish archivist/historian referring to one of the images of the Germans watching a building burn as "dramatic effect." I would’ve given this movie a higher score if it didn’t use AI. See more William L. @RT54024696 May 9 Incredible story and thank goodness we have these photos. In a period of time when truth is under constant attack, this film fights back against that and offers a shining example of courage when the risks were high and the need greatest. See more Lily V. @GayBurritos Mar 9 Interesting enough with a mostly unspoken part of History with few exceptions in cinema to explore See more Thomas S @RT53929595 Feb 18 How pulling a camera’s shutter can reveal more courage than any other action. See more Daniel W. @LA2LISBON Feb 5 Excellent. Great story. Well told. See more Adam W. @Adamreno Feb 2 Great documentary. Tells a true story of courage. See more Read all reviews
33 Photos From the Ghetto

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Cast & Crew

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Jan Czarlewski

Director

Jan Czarlewski

Screenwriter

Carlotta Verny

Screenwriter
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33 Photos From the Ghetto

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Movie Info

Synopsis 33 PHOTOS FROM THE GHETTO tells the story of the only known photographs from inside the Warsaw Ghetto during the April 1943 uprising and its brutal repression that were not taken by German forces. The images, taken secretly by 23-year-old Polish firefighter Zbigniew Leszek Grzywaczewski, who witnessed the devastating response to the uprising as a member of the Warsaw Fire Service, present a rare civilian account of one of World War II’s darkest moments. The film traces two families, one of which is Jewish, who preserved the images for decades but hadn’t brought them to light. 80 years after their creation, the son of the photographer finds the forgotten negatives and launches an investigation. With a team of researchers, archivists, and animators who use near-forensic precision to reconstruct locations and contexts, they trace the circumstances of those tragic days and the lives captured in each frame.
Director
Jan Czarlewski
Screenwriter
Jan Czarlewski, Carlotta Verny
Distributor
HBO
Genre
Documentary, History
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 27, 2026
Runtime
1h 20m