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Jesse Eisenberg Receives Polish Citizenship in Ceremony Honoring Family Heritage

In a heartfelt ceremony, Jesse Eisenberg, the acclaimed American actor, was granted Polish citizenship by President Andrzej Duda. This recognition comes on the heels of Eisenberg’s compelling storytelling in his Oscar-winning film, A Real Pain, which delves into the experiences of the Jewish community during World War II.

Eisenberg took on multiple roles as the writer, director, and star of the film, which follows the journey of two American cousins who travel to Poland to pay tribute to their grandmother—a Holocaust survivor whose story is inspired by Eisenberg’s own great aunt.

Reflecting on his experience filming in Poland, Eisenberg expressed a profound realization during the citizenship ceremony: “While we were filming this movie in Poland, and I was walking the streets and starting to get a little more comfortable in the country, something so obvious occurred to me, which is that my family had lived in this place for far longer than we lived in New York.” He acknowledged the deep historical ties his family had to Poland, contrasting them with the tragedy of the past.

The actor shared his feelings of sadness regarding the disconnect his family had with Poland: “In addition to that tragedy of history is also the tragedy that my family didn’t feel any connection anymore to Poland, and that saddened me and confirmed for me that I really wanted to try to reconnect as much as possible.” He expressed hope that this ceremony marked the first step toward re-establishing that connection for himself and his family.

Eisenberg’s inspiration for A Real Pain was catalyzed by the passing of his great aunt Doris in 2019, who lived to be 106 years old. Doris left Poland in 1938, while other relatives who remained tragically lost their lives during the Holocaust.

In his remarks, President Duda expressed pride in individuals like Eisenberg who seek to reconnect with their Polish roots, stating: “I am delighted that people from across the ocean acknowledge their heritage, recognise that their ancestors hail from the Republic [of Poland] and seek to forge a connection with our country.” His sentiments highlight the importance of heritage and the ongoing interest in Poland’s historical narratives.

Additionally, Eisenberg received an Oscar nomination for his writing on the film, while his co-star Kieran Culkin received the award for best supporting actor, further emphasizing the impactful storytelling of this significant chapter in history.

Source
www.bbc.com