Artists Rick and Laura Brown are not Jewish and not Polish, and yet they set out to rebuild Gwozdziec, one of the magnificent 18th-century wooden synagogues of Poland, the last of which were destroyed by Nazis during World War II. Their vision inspires hundreds of people to join them. Using their hands, old tools and techniques they rediscover Gwozdziec's history, culture, and art.
"Raise the Roof" follows the Browns and the Handshouse Studio team to Sanok, Poland, as they begin building the new Gwozdziec roof. The crew has six weeks to hew, saw, and carve 200 freshly logged trees and assemble the structure. Working against this deadline and despite torrential downpours and exhaustion, the team must create the structure, and disassemble it again for shipping and eventual installation.
Directed by | Yari Wolinsky |
Written by | Yari Wolinsky, Cary Wolinsky |