from lukawiec, poland to stutthof, germany 1939
Walter's Bike Path in Poland
Walter's Bike Path in Poland
Walter's Bike Path in Poland
Shortly before his 15th birthday, WWII broke out and changed his life forever. After taking a bike ride into the countryside, Walter returned to find Nazi troops burning down his village and murdering his entire family.
Walter arrived at Stutthof Concentration camp as a young teen and liberated as a young man of 21 years of age.
Stutthof, Germany
Walter's Bike Path in Poland
Walter's Bike Path in Poland
From 1939 to 1945, Walter endured the Stutthof Concentration Camp in Germany. He worked under the extreme authoritative hand of a Nazi Master Watchmaker. There he experienced sustenance rations, long hours of work, senseless beatings, and the devastation of bombings from the opposing Allied Powers.
After liberation, Walter earned a Certificate of Excellence for a First Class Standard of Proficiency in Watchmaking in Hannover, Germany
Boarding a ship in bremerhaven, germany - bound for america
Walter's Life AFTER LIBERATION
Watchmaking
To be a watchmaker, you need to have a good eye for detail. The inside of a watch is precision-built on a very small scale. You need to be good with your hands and able to work very carefully and methodically. If you are a watch repairer, you need to be good at problem-solving.
Philadelphia Street Scene
Walter sets up shop in the famous Philadelphia Jewelry District,
the oldest Jewelry District in the U.S,
Walter's Tools and Workbench
After Walter's death, Roberto searched for a museum that would honor Walter with a memorial plaque. The Hoffman Museum in upstate New York now houses the tools and bench in an honorary permanent display.
Turning Tragedy Into Triumph
On June 7th, 1952, Walter married his beloved wife Wieslawa (Vivian) and in 1956, became an American citizen.
About the production team
Mark Dylan Brown, Writer
Roberto Ioannucci, Producer & Friend of Walter's
Roberto Ioannucci, Producer & Friend of Walter's
Mark is an award-winning writer for film, television and theater. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Mark’s character- driven, socially-relevant scripts and plays have placed in numerous competitions and festivals, including the Austin Film Festival, Pasadena International Film Festival, ScreenCraft and the Sundance Institute. He attended
Mark is an award-winning writer for film, television and theater. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Mark’s character- driven, socially-relevant scripts and plays have placed in numerous competitions and festivals, including the Austin Film Festival, Pasadena International Film Festival, ScreenCraft and the Sundance Institute. He attended UCLA’s School of Theater, Film & Television, Ensemble Studio Theatre NYC, and studied Improv and Sketch Writing with alumni of The Groundlings. He is a current member of the VS. Theater Company and the Station House Poets in Los Angeles.Mark was so inspired by Walter and his story of survival he felt it necessary to write about it.
Roberto Ioannucci, Producer & Friend of Walter's
Roberto Ioannucci, Producer & Friend of Walter's
Roberto Ioannucci, Producer & Friend of Walter's
Roberto "Itchy" Ioannucci and writer Mark Brown have been best friends since their youth. Roberto played a significant role in introducing Walter, the watchmaker, to Mark. Walter shared his haunting, dehumanizing memories of the Stutthof concentration camp with Roberto, but Roberto also witnessed Walter's triumphs. After Walter passed awa
Roberto "Itchy" Ioannucci and writer Mark Brown have been best friends since their youth. Roberto played a significant role in introducing Walter, the watchmaker, to Mark. Walter shared his haunting, dehumanizing memories of the Stutthof concentration camp with Roberto, but Roberto also witnessed Walter's triumphs. After Walter passed away, Roberto inherited his collection of watch repair tools and bench. He sought out a watch museum in Upstate NY to preserve Walter's prized possessions in a permanent exhibition as a tribute to his dear friend. Before Walter passed away, he asked Roberto to share his story, and Roberto turned to Mark to write it. It's a privilege to share Walter's extraordinary life and to honor his courage and accomplishments.
Mitch Yapko, Director
Roberto Ioannucci, Producer & Friend of Walter's
Cynthia Gravinese, Actress, Writer and Executive Producer
Mitch Yapko is a multi-award-winning writer/director/producer, known for his comedic and unique character work, focusing often on surreal characters in real-life situations. He looks for the heart of the story, and strives to make all of his films relatable. He loves to pull people out of their day-to-day lives and into his imagined world
Mitch Yapko is a multi-award-winning writer/director/producer, known for his comedic and unique character work, focusing often on surreal characters in real-life situations. He looks for the heart of the story, and strives to make all of his films relatable. He loves to pull people out of their day-to-day lives and into his imagined worlds. His films have shown in over 150 festivals over the years, including the Sundance Film Festival (“Smilf” winner, short film jury prize), Dances With Films, Newport Beach Film Festival (“Always Worthy” achievement in filmmaking award), and many more.
Mitch has just completed post production on “Watching Walter,” a short film inspired by the true story of a Holocaust survivor, starring Stephen Tobolowsky. The film is set to premiere at the Oscar-Qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival. He is also working on completing the screenplay adaptation of a sci-fi adventure novel, development of a horror-comedy feature screenplay, and several other exciting narrative projects.
Cynthia Gravinese, Actress, Writer and Executive Producer
Cynthia Gravinese, Actress, Writer and Executive Producer
Cynthia Gravinese, Actress, Writer and Executive Producer
After attending the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, Cynthia made her way to New York City where she studied at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and upon graduation, she began working in Off- Broadway and regional theatres.
As a writer, executive producer, and actress her love for dance inspired her to develop “Meet Me at the
After attending the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, Cynthia made her way to New York City where she studied at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and upon graduation, she began working in Off- Broadway and regional theatres.
As a writer, executive producer, and actress her love for dance inspired her to develop “Meet Me at the Barre”, an award-winning web series currently streaming. Most recently the series earned the Best Web Series award from the Glendale International Film Festival, NYC International Film Festival, the LA International Film Festival and appeared in the Film Collective Best of Series and the Phoenix Film Festival.
Besides TV, Cynthia will be appearing in the soon to be released film, Something’s More Than One Thing, produced by the Russo Brothers and directed by Jay Alvarez and the psychological thriller Protos playing an unscrupulous Senator, imagine that! As a producer, she recently wrapped the upcoming Baby Blues horror/comedy thriller.
Cynthia was thrilled to partner with her husband Mark Brown, and Executive Produce Watching Walter! We will make our World Premiere at the Oscar-Qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival in July.
Mark Aznavourian, Executive Producer
Cynthia Gravinese, Actress, Writer and Executive Producer
Mark Dylan Brown & Cynthia Gravinese Brown
Mark wrote his first script in 2007 and since then has written over twenty – off all genres for both television and features. His short film, BREATHE (2018) was directed by Mitch Yapko and went to twenty-five film festivals, winning many awards. Mark read Mark Dylan Brown's script WATCHING WALTER, and was immediately taken not only by the
Mark wrote his first script in 2007 and since then has written over twenty – off all genres for both television and features. His short film, BREATHE (2018) was directed by Mitch Yapko and went to twenty-five film festivals, winning many awards. Mark read Mark Dylan Brown's script WATCHING WALTER, and was immediately taken not only by the importance of the story, but also of the humanity of its main character. Since it is based on a real person and true events, Mark B. wanted to see this film made. Mark A. had such a great experience with Mitch, so it made perfect sense for this collaboration to happen, and this film to be made with this team.
Mark Dylan Brown & Cynthia Gravinese Brown
Cynthia Gravinese, Actress, Writer and Executive Producer
Mark Dylan Brown & Cynthia Gravinese Brown
Mark and Cynthia at the Pasadena International Film Festival.
Mark won for his script of "Watching Walter" - May 2023
FESTIVAL NEWS
FESTIVALS
Watching Walter will make it's World Premiere at The LA Shorts International Film Festival 2024 will run from July 17 to 28 at Regal LA Live. Watching Walter will be screened at the festival on July 19, during the program that starts at 7:45 p.m. For more information and tickets visit www.lashortsfest.com
AWARDS
Watching Walter was awarded Best Short Screenplay at the Glendale International Film Festival in Sept. 2023!!!
