In the powerful and moving film “Treasure,” a father-daughter duo gos on a journey through Poland, weaving together humor and drama with family bonding. Co-stars Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry share a deep respect for each other, reflecting the film’s emotional depth and the connection between their characters.
Based on the novel by Lily Brett and directed by Julia von Heinz, the story follows Ruth (Lena Dunham) and Edek (Stephen Fry) Rothwax, a father-daughter duo who set out on a road trip in 1990s Poland to reclaim their family’s legacy. Edek is a Polish Holocaust survivor who would prefer to focus on his present life rather than be reminded of the pain and grief over loved ones lost. Ruth is on a journey through a homeland she’s never known to feel connected to a family she’ll never meet. Initially at odds and definitely not on the same page, they ultimately come to understand each other through laughter and tears, which strengthens their own family bond.
During this interview, Dunham, who’s also a producer on the film, and Fry declared the love they had for working with each other and how it led to a deep respect between them, how Edek reminded Fry of his grandfather, exploring the film’s mixture of emotions, how the story relates to the experience of being Jewish in America today, their own experiences exploring their real-life family legacies, and how they’ve already reunited to work together again on Too Much, the Netflix series Dunham is an executive producer, writer, and director on.
Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry (Photo: IMDB)
For Fry, the experience of working on “Treasure” was particularly significant as it reminded him of his own grandfather and the Holocaust. He revealed that he had done research on his own family’s history and discovered some disturbing facts about his own family’s past. Dunham also shared her own experiences of discovering her family’s history, including a trip to Poland and an appearance on the TV show “Finding Your Roots.”
The film’s themes of trauma, reconciliation, and family bonding are reflected in the on-screen chemistry between Dunham and Fry. Their characters’ relationship is a heartwarming exploration of family ties and the power of human connection. The film also explores the complex issues of antisemitism and transgenerational trauma, serving as a tool to discuss important issues that affect many families worldwide.
