Of Treasure
The film Treasure stars Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry. Based on a true story they play a father (Edek) and daughter (Ruth) going back for a trip to the Death Camp of Auschwitz.
Ruth has never been but her Father Edek has childhood memories. Ruth is keen for them to go, Dad not so much.
When I first glimpsed the plot I thought it would be graphic and confronting. Not so. The vastness of the death camp is glimpsed but all that is left are ruins and an ill-informed guide.
They return to the home from where Edek and his family were forced to leave. In their haste, they managed to bury the deeds to the house. When Edek returns with his daughter Ruth they discover the house has been taken over by squatters who are well aware of their flimsy right to occupancy.
Edek digs for the buried treasure of the documents and it's still all there. Legally he could now claim it and pass it on to Ruth. Whether she accepts it is not clear as they have both become ‘New Yorkers’ and they return home.
At one level the treasure is the buried bits of paper. But for me, at least the real treasure is the relationship that is tested and strengthened, is fraught and funny. In their angst and tears, laughter and fury something quite lovely blossoms. The pair discover their own treasure in each other and in what they are together. It seems that our most enduring and authentic treasure is the people who are given to us, who we share our life with. Those who we rejoice in and delight in. Those who infuriate and frustrate us. These are of immeasurable, priceless and infinite value and they are always our greatest treasure.