Being Benovsky

Three enthusiasts from a small town fascinated by the figure of a 18th century traveler, plan a trip to Madagascar in order to learn more about their hero, but also to experience a journey to their inner selves.

For 70-year-old Jerzy Romejko, adventure is the meaning of his life - he traveled the route of Benovsky in Siberia on foot and on horseback. For Janek Manikowski, Benovsky is a life full of adventures, a dream. He participates in marathons and will soon break the 40,000 km limit on bike. Waldemar Bednarek is a former policeman and clock collector. He would like to speak French like Benovsky. Edward Jabłoński writes songs and conducts ceremonies. After the death of his wife and an car accident, Benovsky gives Edek the power to renew his driving license despite his fear. Elwira Reus sponsors the construction of a school in Madagascar. Andrew Drummond is a Scottish writer who opposes the promotion of a positive image of the 18th century hero. 

Moric Benovsky was a Hungarian-Slovak nobleman joined the Bar Confederation, for which he was sentenced to exile in Kamchatka. Soon he escaped on a ship and sailed around Asia under the Polish banner. His act resonated in the world and enabled him to establish a colony in Madagascar. We will try to understand what Benovsky's ideals mean for each of our heroes, what gap in their lives they fill.  

In the film, we want to look at Benovsky in a light way, introducing elements of humor while observing the hero-constructing process. The film will be divided into two spheres: observations from the lives of our living characters and a historical comedy with interviews by admirers and opponents, cinematic re-enactments from Benovsky's life, and cinematic visualizations of  sea, tropics and frosty lands. We want our film to combine elements of an educational historical film with an artistic documentary about living, extremely interesting people.  

Film in production. To be released in fall 2024.  

Directed by Marek Kucharski and Katarzyna Trzaska 

Produced by Vision House and TVP Polish Television

Teaser