Unearthing the Past: A Look at ‘Treasure’

Treasure is a tragicomedy from German director Julia von Heinz (And Tomorrow the Entire World, Hanna’s Journey), starring Lena Dunham, Stephen Fry and Zbigniew Zamachowski. This is a poignant exploration of family, trauma and the complexities of confronting a painful past. The film opens in select cinemas on 28 June – you can book tickets here.

As a teenager, von Heinz was given Lily Brett’s Too Many Men by her mother and instantly fell in love with it. Some years later, she reached out to Brett and secured the rights to the 700-page book in order to adapt it to screen with John Quester. Twelve drafts later, von Heinz was ready and decided to shoot in both Germany and Poland for the most authentic translation.

Treasure is the third film in von Heinz’s ‘Aftermath Trilogy’ examining the legacy of Germany’s Nazi past. According to von Heinz, “…people say things like ‘I can’t hear anything more about the Holocaust.’ But we tell stories to bring order to things, and the Holocaust was so massive that it will take generations to tell the stories of those affected – and it is necessary to remind each new generation that this cannot happen again.”

The film centres around Ruth (Dunham), a headstrong American journalist, who accompanies her aging father, Edek (Fry), on a reluctant pilgrimage to his childhood home in Poland. Edek, a Holocaust survivor, is haunted by the ghosts of his past and resists revisiting those dark memories. This internal struggle creates a comedic tension, as Edek’s stubborn attempts to sabotage the trip clash with Ruth’s yearning to understand her family history.

Dunham delivers a powerful performance as Ruth, a woman grappling with the weight of her heritage. She portrays both frustration and compassion as she navigates her father’s emotional minefield. Fry, on the other hand, brings a remarkable depth to Edek. He captures the vulnerability of a man burdened by loss, while injecting moments of humor through his character’s wry wit.

Treasure is not simply a Holocaust story. It’s a universally relatable tale about the strained bonds between parent and child, and the journey of reconciliation. The film’s humour serves as a coping mechanism, allowing the characters and the audience to confront uncomfortable truths with a light touch. Treasure is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll, prompting reflection on the importance of family, forgiveness, and the enduring human spirit.