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Director Biography - Ania Johnston
Ania is a Polish-American total-filmmaker. From short narrative films directed in the Polish language to long-form documentary photography on climate change and technology, Ania's interests reflect her dedication to storytelling and her drive to shed light on pressing global issues. A frequent traveler, Ania has worked on many projects across Europe, speaks fluent Polish and English, and has lived in Prague, Czech Republic, and Poland. Ania holds a Master of Science in Multimedia, Photography, and Design from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and a Bachelor of Arts in Film with a concentration in Cinematography from Syracuse University. She’s a sci-fi lover, a bookworm, and a gym enthusiast, blending physical challenges with cerebral pursuits.
Director Statement
This film is a dedication to my mother’s side of the family—the Łutostański family.
In 2017, my Polish grandfather passed away, marking a difficult period for our family. My grandmother had passed just a year earlier and chose to be buried in Brunswick, Maine, close to me. However, my grandfather had always wanted to rest in his hometown of Rutki-Kossaki, Poland. To honor his wishes, my mother and I made a heartfelt compromise: we flew to Poland with a small urn of his ashes to lay him to rest where he belonged.
In 2022, I decided to transform this deeply personal experience into a screenplay—a tribute to my grandfather and our shared heritage. With a $5,000 grant from Syracuse University and an additional $1,000 raised independently, I set the project in motion. After pitching to 15 production studios in Poland, I partnered with MX35, a Warsaw-based production company. In a twist of fate, one of their assistants was from the same region as my grandfather, and that connection solidified the partnership for me.
I assembled a crew of 20 students from the Warsaw Film School and spent 8 months planning the production remotely. We shot for four intense days in my grandfather’s village, braving freezing temperatures, and filming some scenes at my own family’s grave. The collaboration was an incredible journey, and post-production was no less demanding. Experts from the Czech Republic joined us in a meticulous, year-long process to perfect the film.
When I watched the final cut, I didn’t just feel pride—I felt reverence. Reverence for my grandfather’s story, for my heritage, and for the extraordinary team that came together across borders to bring this vision to life.
Sabina, a 22-year-old medical student, is tasked with burying her grandfather’s ashes in Rutki-Kossaki, Poland. According to her grandfather’s will, she must enlist the help of her estranged half-uncle, Mietek, a 78-year-old farmer and Rutki-Kossaki local. As Sabina and Mietek navigate their contrasting values and personalities—her quiet demeanor and trust in scientific progress contrasting with his outspoken attitude and naturalist mindset—the story explores themes of mortality, generational grief, and how family lineage can lead the heart to peace.
Director Biography - Ania Johnston
Ania is a Polish-American total-filmmaker. From short narrative films directed in the Polish language to long-form documentary photography on climate change and technology, Ania's interests reflect her dedication to storytelling and her drive to shed light on pressing global issues. A frequent traveler, Ania has worked on many projects across Europe, speaks fluent Polish and English, and has lived in Prague, Czech Republic, and Poland. Ania holds a Master of Science in Multimedia, Photography, and Design from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and a Bachelor of Arts in Film with a concentration in Cinematography from Syracuse University. She’s a sci-fi lover, a bookworm, and a gym enthusiast, blending physical challenges with cerebral pursuits.
Director Statement
This film is a dedication to my mother’s side of the family—the Łutostański family.
In 2017, my Polish grandfather passed away, marking a difficult period for our family. My grandmother had passed just a year earlier and chose to be buried in Brunswick, Maine, close to me. However, my grandfather had always wanted to rest in his hometown of Rutki-Kossaki, Poland. To honor his wishes, my mother and I made a heartfelt compromise: we flew to Poland with a small urn of his ashes to lay him to rest where he belonged.
In 2022, I decided to transform this deeply personal experience into a screenplay—a tribute to my grandfather and our shared heritage. With a $5,000 grant from Syracuse University and an additional $1,000 raised independently, I set the project in motion. After pitching to 15 production studios in Poland, I partnered with MX35, a Warsaw-based production company. In a twist of fate, one of their assistants was from the same region as my grandfather, and that connection solidified the partnership for me.
I assembled a crew of 20 students from the Warsaw Film School and spent 8 months planning the production remotely. We shot for four intense days in my grandfather’s village, braving freezing temperatures, and filming some scenes at my own family’s grave. The collaboration was an incredible journey, and post-production was no less demanding. Experts from the Czech Republic joined us in a meticulous, year-long process to perfect the film.
When I watched the final cut, I didn’t just feel pride—I felt reverence. Reverence for my grandfather’s story, for my heritage, and for the extraordinary team that came together across borders to bring this vision to life.
Sabina, a 22-year-old medical student, is tasked with burying her grandfather’s ashes in Rutki-Kossaki, Poland. According to her grandfather’s will, she must enlist the help of her estranged half-uncle, Mietek, a 78-year-old farmer and Rutki-Kossaki local. As Sabina and Mietek navigate their contrasting values and personalities—her quiet demeanor and trust in scientific progress contrasting with his outspoken attitude and naturalist mindset—the story explores themes of mortality, generational grief, and how family lineage can lead the heart to peace.
