DOCUMENTARY SERIES
CHARACTER-DRIVEN STORIES AND ESSAY FILMS
PHOTOGRAPHY SERIES
Filmed across five continents, this five-part documentary immerses viewers in a journey through time, exploring identity, resilience, creativity, and how our origins shape us today.
Complementing the documentary series, 100 short films offer a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the lives of notable Litvaks, sharing their journeys, challenges, and the wisdom they carry.
Capturing candid moments, photo essays, and large-format portraits, this series presents a unique visual perspective, preserving narratives that video alone cannot.
Documenta
ry
series
ORIGINS: a compelling five-episode documentary series tells the extraordinary story of the Litvak community. Nearly wiped out during the Holocaust, the Litvaks have shown remarkable resilience, creating a vast yet intangible diaspora that continues to impact the world. Over three years and across five continents, the series captures the stories of 100 luminaries across culture, science, business, arts, and politics—each a testament to resilience, identity, and creativity. Through personal narratives and historical depth, the series reflects on how our origins shape who we are today, uncovering the untold legacy of a scattered but enduring community.
ORIGINS:
A feature film showcases the journeys taken, the people met, the stories heard, and the discoveries made.
IDENTITY
Explores how heritage shapes our identity and defines who we are today.
RESILIENCE
Highlights the community's strength in overcoming adversity and surviving dark chapters in history.
CREATIVITY
Focuses on success, innovation, and adaptability, highlighting how Litvaks thrived in new lands and left a lasting impact.
CONNECTION
A journey back to the old country, reconnecting with a land that is both deeply personal and historically distant.
Short
Films
Building on the documentary series, 100 character-driven stories and essay films offer a glimpse into the lives of notable Litvaks across generations. These narratives delve into resilience, identity, and creativity, exploring the enduring cultural legacy shaped by community and strength.
Photo
graphy
With distinct attention to detail, this approach blends natural elements with traditional development techniques, adding depth and unique layers to the storytelling.
Portrait developing process in Vilnius, Lithuania, 2025
Personal stories told through slow, thoughtful photography, offer a glimpse into people’s inner lives, personal experiences, and emotions.
Saadia Bahat. Tel Aviv, Israel © Tadas Kazakevičius, 2023
A candid and authentic style captures unposed images that reflect daily lives, emotions, and environments, providing real, spontaneous moments as they unfold.
Sharon Pinkenson. Philadelphia, USA © Tadas Kazakevičius, 2024
Timeline
Short films:
100 character-driven stories and essay films
Documentary series
(5 episodes)
Photography exhibition
Synopsis
ORIGINS: a five-part documentary series traces the remarkable journey of the Litvak diaspora. From the depths of the Holocaust to their resurgence in fields such as science, culture, politics, business, and the arts, the Litvak story is one of extraordinary survival and reinvention, leaving an indelible mark on the world.
Focusing on those born between 1928 and 1945—descendants of families torn apart by war and persecution—the series uncovers how these individuals have carried the torch of identity, resilience, and creativity through generations. Their personal stories bridge the past and present, revealing a legacy that resonates today.
Brought to life by a talented team of filmmakers, photographers, and composers, these narratives create an authentic and vivid portrayal of the Litvak community and its cultural legacy. Interweaving shared human connections, the documentary provides a poignant exploration of how origins shape our identities today.
TRACING THE LITVAK DIASPORA
Today’s Litvaks are descendants of Jews who emigrated from Lithuania in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The documentary explores how their cultural heritage has been preserved and passed down across generations. Focusing on personal stories, we bring history to life through relatable narratives that deepen understanding of the Litvak diaspora’s resilience and impact.
Filming began in 2023 in Israel and England, expanding in 2024 to the United States, France, Denmark, Italy, Lithuania, Argentina, and Brazil. In the coming year, we will continue exploring the Americas, Europe, Australia, and South Africa, where 90% of the Jewish population identifies as Litvaks. Our goal is to complete all filming and photography by the end of 2025.
“Nationalism is always complicated. It’s based on an inwardness and exclusivity that can become very, very dangerous. But there is also nationalism that takes pride in the diversity of thoughts, of its people. This second type of nationalism can become very powerful and strong. That’s why I’m attracted to the work that you are doing.”
— ALBIE SACHS, South African judge and human rights activist
MEET THE TEAM
Contact
us
Feel free to reach out for more information about the documentary, the team behind it, and how you can contribute.
If you're interested in supporting the documentary, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We'd be happy to discuss how you can contribute to this important project.
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