Jakob Jonilowicz

Jakob Jonilowicz[1] Hebrew: יעקב יונילוביץ‎‎ (1908–1975) was an Israeli cinematographer.[2]

Jonilowicz was born in Vilna, at that time part of the Russian Empire. He studied cinematography in Paris.

In 1936 he was the photo director of the film Yidl Mitn Fidl – (English:Yiddle with his Fiddle, German:Jidl mitn Fidl, Polish:Judel gra na Skrzypcach).

In 1939 he returned to Vilna (Wilno), when Germany started World War II, to help his family. He survived the Holocaust. After the war he was director of photography of Lang ist der Weg[3] (Long is the Road), Germany 1947–48. Later he moved to Israel.

Jonilowicz directed the photography of the following films:

In 1961 he filmed the Eichmann trial in Jerusalem.

Jonilowicz married Dolly Kobryner (Dolly Jonilowicz, 1908–1944),[4] a US citizen born in New York and dedicated to photo editing; she was killed by Germans in German-Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II. He had a daughter in Israel, Tali Jonilowicz (1953), with his second wife, Hanna Jonilowicz (1925–1999).

Jakob Jonilowicz died in Israel in 1975.

Der Wilner Express

An article published in Vilna, 1936, in the Der Wilner Ekspres (Der Wilner Express) tells us about Jakob Jonilowicz' childhood and life before World War II. Following is a translation from the original article in Yiddish.

What is Heard in Vilna?
How a young Jewish Vilner became one of the world's biggest film operators

These days arrived to Vilna Jakob Jonilowicz, who is a world-famous film operator.

Jonilowicz is a Vilner

Jonilowicz is a young Jewish Vilner that came here to meet his parents that have an eyewear shop in 38 Zavalne St. {now Pylimo Street where is the main entrance of the state-sponsored Jewish museum}

This young man thanks to his unprecedented ability did an immense career during a few years, even not seen in a movie.

He was born in Vilna, graduating here in the “TRO-Gymnasium” {Tagen Religiöser Orientierung Gymnasium - Secondary school with daily religious orientation} and studied a few years in the Faculty of Arts of the local University.

Here this young man showed a great ability, especially in artistic photography, in such a manner his photos have been shown in exhibitions abroad with a great success.

Traveling to Paris

Six years ago, Jonilowicz being a little more than 20 years old, left Vilna to Paris, to complete his education.

Thanks to his great ability, professors of the Sorbonne University in Paris expressed interest in him. After finishing a few cinematography courses in Paris, Jonilowicz was engaged as operator assistant in Paramount and later becoming an independent operator in Pathe & Primax Society film.

Jonilowicz signed a contract with a big American film corporation, traveled to the US and participated there in a spectacular film that all America admired. The film name is “Folies Bergere de Paris”. {1935}

Jonilowicz becomes famous

After doing a few films with major movie starts, Jonilowicz gained the attention of French film producers.

The most important experts used to consult him recognizing his techniques and artistic knowledge.

This young Jewish was engaged with several film corporations of the first line.

Jonilowicz in Poland

A few month ago Jonilowicz was contracted in Poland to join the first and greatest Polish transatlantic ship “Józef Piłsudski” and film the complete maiden voyage to America. Back to Poland, Jonilowicz did a film of Narocz (Narotsch).

Anti-Semite press is delighted with Jonilowicz films

The “Wieczor Warszawski” that is a known by all of us as anti-Semitic newspaper of the Endeks party, is delighted with Jonilowicz films. They wrote among others: “the operator Janilowicz is a great win to Polish cinematography. The photography part of the films stands on a high level of achievement. The name of Narocz (Narotsch) surpasses all what has been seen until now in Poland and in general.

A minister blesses Vilna where such a wary artist was born

A few days ago, a special event took place where the films done by Jonilowicz have been shown.

In that exhibition came a lot of great Polish members of the nobility as visitors.

One of the ministers congratulated Jonilowicz with these words:

“Be blessed the City of Vilna, which has with his high artistic creation adorn the Polish film production. Bless and thanks to those that helped to bring to the world this art-work”

The arrival to Vilna of this great artist caused a big sensation.

References

  1. ↑ alternative typography: Jakub Jonilowicz, Jack Jonilowicz, Yaacov Yonilovitsch, Yaacov Ionilovich
  2. ↑ ISBN 3-593-35843-3 - Überlebt und unterwegs: Jüdische Displaced persons im Nachkriegsdeutschland, By Fritz Bauer Institut, Fritz Bauer Institut, Published by Campus Verlag, 1997 - page 128
  3. ↑ de:Lang ist der Weg
  4. ↑ http://www.yadvashem.org/

External links


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