Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain explores family roots and Holocaust history in Poland, blending personal connection with cinematic storytelling.
A Journey Through History
Jesse Eisenberg’s latest directorial effort, A Real Pain, takes viewers on a poignant journey through Poland. The film, starring Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin, follows two cousins, David and Benji, as they trace their family’s roots. Traveling through Warsaw, Lublin, and Majdanek, the cousins seek to understand the Holocaust’s impact on their heritage.
A Personal Connection
Eisenberg revealed that the story is inspired by his own family history. His ancestors lived in Krasnystaw until 1938, fleeing due to rising antisemitism. One family member survived the war in Poland, later relocating to Szczecin, where they passed away during the pandemic. This deeply personal connection fueled Eisenberg’s desire to explore identity, memory, and the modern Jewish experience.
A Polish Collaboration
Shot in Warsaw and Lublin, A Real Pain features cinematography by Michał Dymek and production support from Ewa Puszczyńska. Alongside Eisenberg and Culkin, the cast includes Will Sharp, Jennifer Grey, and Kurt Egyiawan. The film is set to premiere in theaters this fall.