DE BESSARABIA A ENTRE RÍOS
ACERCA DEL FILM

TESTIMONIALS

These are some opinions given by viewers of
"From Bessarabia to Entre Ríos"

...apart from its main and essential goal, which consists in honoring the Banchik Family, the documentary has a well deserved life of its own, because of both its content and its format... "if you tell the story of your family, you´ll be telling the story of your people "... it becomes a history lesson, a living lesson of the so-called intrahistory, the history of the daily life details which drive family lives and make real History... Its huge instructiveness is obvious... its theoretical content is balanced with the musical moments, the personal recalls and the culture spreading (the appearance of the Romanian Ambassador was unbelievable)... · The documentary is "provocative"… it moves viewers in a typically Argentine way … it awakens distant memories of other times … it shortens the generation gap and helps us to approach to a reality which is very different from our reality.
Rosa and Claudia from Kiriat Haim, Israel

...a film like this is the dream of any genealogist, also, the fact that it is meant to honor his father or mother is touching.
Mónica Muñoz de Glas, City of Buenos Aires

...I showed the video to many of my friends and they were all truly FASCINATED with its content and its perfect presentation. I have already seen it many times and every time I watch it again I notice more details. It is incredible!
Carlos Kofman, City of Buenos Aires

So many unexpected things happen in life, and we go on and on, there is only one certain thing, good people will always have joyful moments as a reward, and of course, sad moments to grieve… and keep on walking along that road, even though we may fall sometimes, but for sure we will reach a destination we have never imagined. In fact, we must leave behind all our belongings, only our spirit will survive, and it will take all our memories with it; however, we will leave our work on Earth, whatever it may be. That´s why I´m glad you made this film, as I know for sure that it was the result of so much dedication. That is a good enough reason to enjoy it, besides, if it is recognized by other people too, it is spiritual gain.
Alejandro García – City of Buenos Aires

It is really touching to see how a very good family video became a universal document. It is also a document that reflects the director’s view of the family and its history, I believe that is what links it to a “master piece”!! The echoes that started when the director decided to make the film are already part of the UNIVERSE.... and as such ... they no longer stop, whether they are big or small.
Diana Banchik, Tel Aviv- Israel

...a lot of people are still talking about the film, and all of them agree on the fact that it was the climax of the Festival!!!!!! And it was, indeed!!!
Carolina Goldsman (Director of the International Jewish Film Festival in Punta del Este, Uruguay)

It made me so happy to see your film, with such a transparent and loving message, as well as cheerful, warm and “informative.” It was authentic and lacked any arrogance and the pretentiousness, which human beings tend to love. It is an excellent and original film!! The message is lovely!!!!! Like your heart!!!
Loreley Picerno, City of Buenos Aires

....I have lots of words to say to you both in Hebrew and English: mehamem [great], meragesh [moving], meanien [interesting], a Jewish historical family "work of art"... an accurate memory of the Jewish past, which may be studied at any university.
Aron Parnes, Israel

"From Bessarabia to Entre Ríos", impressed us deeply. Apart from the emotional and nostalgic value for the Banchik family –of unquestionable importance- we notice that the film is a solid work, highly informative and testimonial, and especially, made with a lot of love for the elderly, who overcame tremendous obstacles and went through hardship and suffering to make the epic story of the Jewish settlement in Argentina. This film, while it makes us smile and weep, leads us through events and places which are familiar to us, but acquire a new dimension and look special on the story and images it shows.
Salvador Gleser, Israel

Mónica and I have extremely enjoyed your film. It is magnificent: it is educational and moving. Your Argentine spirit, oriented towards the community and the family, is also reflected in the film.
 Carlos Escudé, City of Buenos Aires

The moment we saw it in Villaguay, I understood that a document of this kind may not be restricted to museums or family memorabilia.
Susana and Roberto Szulansky, Israel

...an excellent film. I liked it a lot. It is based on a thorough piece of research and is truly interesting. Of course, I learnt things I didn´t know, so I don’t regret having traveled from Chajarí, Entre Ríos to the City of Buenos Aires to see it.
Liliana Braun, Chajarí, Entre Ríos

I´d like to congratulate you for the film "From Bessarabia to Entre Ríos", first because I liked it very much and secondly because it was very touching for me as well as for any other native of Entre Ríos that might have been there... I was also moved by seeing Adolfo Banchik, who I have heard of though I have never met him, because, just like him, my mother came from Romania and was taken to Pedermar by the Jewish. So, while I was listening to him, I felt stirred up because it seemed like I was listening to my mother, who had told me the same stories, so as he spoke I knew what he was about to say next...
Ana Teresa Fischer (member of the Hebrew Choir),
City of Buenos Aires

...again I congratulate you for your film “from the bottom of my heart” … your work gives rise to so many questions about the research, methods, etc… I will watch the film with my cousins, maybe it will trigger a trip to Romania to see… as our grandparents also came to Argentina during the Russian-Japanese war in 1904… your work is wonderful from the emotional point of view and excellent from the technical point of view!
Graciela Rotman, City of Buenos Aires

...still feeling the emotions that fed my soul, I´d like you to know how much I admire you for your work, I’m also glad I could enjoy it and I feel proud of having you in my “family”.
Beca (Ruth Banchik de Kofman), Ciudad de Buenos Aires

...impressed by your wonderful job!!!! incredible.....I learnt a lot about the history of the Jews and our family. I loved it and I think it is a very nice legacy for our children.
Rosa Banchik Worcel, Israel

I´d like to thank you very much for your generosity. Your film will be part of the memories I keep from my father, as a valuable testimony. It is worth highlighting that it was a film shot for a family meeting. It has become wide-spread by being screened at a Festival, thus becoming a public asset adopted by everyone, as we all feel identified with its story. It is the story of my family, and every family of immgrants who came to this country, where no one questioned their origin or identity. All human beings were generously welcomed with great hospitality. They found the brotherliness of the promised land in the Immigrant’s Hotel. For that reason, the phrase “ THANK YOU ARGENTINA” shows genuine appreciation and reflects the feeling of those who escaped to this land. Brother, as we are branches of the same tree, I´d like to show you my true appreciation.
 Mario Partnoy, City of Buenos Aires

...I am still deeply moved and excited, after having seen the story of my ancestors reflected on a VERY GOOD FILM, together with my husband and children. I´d like to thank you again for doing this for all of us, the BANCHIKS. I know it was a great effort rewarded by its success.
Martha Banchik, Casilda, Santa Fe

You may be extremely proud of your small but great work. When something has a deep message and talks about the roots of those of us who made a great effort to become who we are, the “reward” is this success. Congratulations! I´m sure your father would have enjoyed this a lot, he must be watching you closely from heaven. This is the best tribute you could have ever paid to him... Really, it was a turning point for all of us.
Roberto Strauss, City of Buenos Aires

...I found it extremely interesting, as I´ve learnt things I ignored about the Jews. It is fully documented, I´m sure this documentary must have filled you with great satisfaction, not only because of the film itself but also its background. I suppose you must be glad, however, those who “create” are never completely certain, as such feeling hinders the artists’ eternal search for self-improvement. Congratulations, my friend... I completely agree with your phrase that says: “it is important to be understanding and tolerant; and the Jews should get along and try to overcome their problems in the Mideast. Governments should negotiate to stop such this savagery and finally live in peace.”  The adorable lady who talked about your family was enchanting... in conclusion, I´ll watch it again!
Oriana Gómez B. Denia, Alicante, España

You have no idea how moved I was while I was watching the documentary. I am from Iasi, Romania. The film shows a synagogue in Harlau, which is the one where my great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents were. Excellent!! You don´t know how grateful I am. Mr. Micula, Ambassador of Romania, was really important for us and we hope that his succesor continues his work. I´m for ever grateful, though I am a post-war immigrant, I’m glad about what you did for the Jewish gauchos who came from Bessarabia to Entre Ríos, so that they are never forgotten... and though we had a rough time at first in Argentina, we have nothing to complain about.
Francisca Carasso, City of Buenos Aires

Our most sincere congratulations for the wide success of the film. Here, in Israel, we say “waw” as a sign of admiration and approval. So, “waw” from Israel, where, as we have heard, there are cultural meetings to see “From Bessarabia to Entre Ríos.”
Rosa and Claudia from Kiriat Haim, Israel

It is a magnificent piece of research, I am moved by the fact that it reflects all the stories I have heard and data from family documents.
Laura Kesselman, City of Buenos Aires

...I was stirred by your story, which is a bit like the story of all of us. I was moved, informed, and affected. I’ve already told everyone about your film and I am very interested in giving them copies.
Mayra Magenheim, City of Buenos Aires

... do not rest until the whole world learns that the “Jewish and non-Jewish immigrants”, in Argentina worked very hard to make a living or, as we say in Hebrew, “did not taste honey all the time” but with a lot of effort and determination one may succeed, as is the case of many communities and persons. I think this is why people want to see your film and value what you brought back to their attention: a distant reality forgotten, particularly, by those young people who don´t appreciate hard work and only show despise for the rich and wealthy... as I´m writing to you I feel moved… since if it wasn´t for this film the world would have forgotten about our ancestors, who suffered so much to give us “a better world.”
Beibe Parnes and family, Hatzerim, Israel

..life always rewards hard work.. and I believe your example and determination is very important, as you researched on your roots with so much love and dedication. You are a role model for all of us who keep on trying to do the same! Once you told me that you had started this project with the intention to make a 5-minute video and it turned out to be this beautiful documentary. And how you suddenly found yourself being treated as a film director, it must be wonderful, right? I am always amazed at the way life surprises us day by day! Sincerelly and from the bottom of my heart as I always tell you, I wish you all the best especially this year: I hope this is the best year for you and I also hope that you dare to imagine! I wish you the same every year of your life!
Silvia Waiserman, Rosario, Santa Fe

...people were really delighted with last Saturday’s event... there were extremely good comments about your film. It is going to be screened again.
Gabriela Schnook (HACOAJ Boating Club), Buenos Aires

...I saw your film at the Film Festival in Punta del Este. I’m from Hacoaj, good news were spread and I heard that it was a success; people asked us to invite you to a meeting on Sunday. I don’t know if that will be possible, anyway, I’m very glad about your accomplishment, as those who were in Hacoaj were happy to share such a nice experience with you.
Rosita Stronguin (Hacoaj Culture Committee), Buenos Aires

Amazing things happen with your film ... a couple of weeks ago a lady called to tell us that her husband was going have brain surgery... in a hospital in Jerusalem and that she had to ask for something ... (we didn´t know what to make of it)... Well, she needed some copies of the film for his doctors, as he had told them about the film and they were excited about it!
Claudia Wengierko, Israel

Acabo de disfrutar con toda mi familia este film testimonial,que abarca la historia de judíos que vienen a tierras extrañas, a una América para descubrir,  buscando la libertad, la paz y la justicia que anhelaban. Tu obra es educativa, sentimental, está llena de encanto y trasluce la investigación que sin duda hiciste con acabado criterio hasta arrancar las raices mismas de la tierra para que brote esa información que podía estar olvidada y que tú la trajiste al hoy con personajes de carne y hueso dando su testimonio vívido.
Mónica Selanikio, Montevideo, Uruguay

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© 2007 Pedro Banchik