In 1938, American tourists filmed 3 minutes of home video in the small Polish town of Nasielsk. One year later, the Nazis invaded and all the town’s Jewish residents, were sent to the Treblinka extermination camp. Directed by Bianca Stigter and produced by Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), Three Minutes – A Lengthening transforms the meticulously restored 16mm found footage into a transfixing meditation on what it means for a lost community to have been captured on film. Every frame is exhumed to find evocative details amid the unsuspecting faces and bustling cobblestone streets. With stirring narration by Helena Bonham Carter and a beautiful, minimalistic score, this precious time capsule reminds us that home movies can be the most profound cinema of all.

Official Selection: Venice, Toronto, DOC NYC film festivals

“A beautiful film that pays tribute to those lost and to the persistence and emotional power ofmemory.” –Caryn James, Hollywood Reporter

“A reminder of what a magical medium film is—how unique it is in its ability to capture so many moments and so much life.” –Nicholas Barber, IndieWire

Join us for a live Film Schmooze led by Dr. Jonathan Zisook (University of Pittsburgh) on Wednesday, May 4, at 7pm. Zoom link will be provided in advance to all ticket buyers.

AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING ONLINE

Sunday, May 1 – Wednesday, May 4, 7pm | PA, WV and OH

Watch the trailer below!