Jakob Jonilowicz
Encyclopedia
Jonilowicz was born in Vilna, at that time part of the Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
. He studied cinematography in Paris.
In 1936 he was the photo director of the film Yidl Mitn Fidl
Yidl Mitn Fidl
-History:After the success of Joseph in the Land of Egypt, a silent film dubbed into the Yiddish language by Joseph Green, met with success, he decided to create an entirely Yiddish film, and returned to his native Poland to do so...
– (English:Yiddle with his Fiddle, German:Jidl mitn Fidl, Polish
Polish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
: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 - Long is the Road, Germany 1947-48
Later he moved to Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
.
Jonilowicz directed the photogrophy of the following films:
- Tent City – Ir Ha’ohalim, Israel, 1951
- Et La Noce Dansait presented in Cannes Film FestivalCannes Film FestivalThe Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
, 1952 - Break of Day, Israel, 1952–1953
- Transition, USA, 1954
In 1961 he filmed the Eichmann trial in Jerusalem.
Jonilowicz married Dolly Kobryner (Dolly Jonilowicz - 1908-1944), a US citizen born in New York and dedicated to photo editing; she was killed by the nazis in 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
WHAT IS HEARD IN VILNA?
HOW A YOUNG JEWISH VILNER BECAME ONE OF THE WORLD BIGGEST FILM OPERATORS
These days arrived to Vilna Jakob Jonilowicz, which 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 USA 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.