SYNOPSIS
A centenarian Super Ager, blessed with extraordinary physical and mental health, Pauline Rutkowski spends her 102nd and 103rd years on camera in this new documentary by cinematographer Richard Rutkowski, ASC. Born to Polish parents in 1921 and raised on a depression era farm with eleven siblings, she has lived her entire life in Rust Belt Pennsylvania. Examining her decades of hard work, early business success, and personal hardships while raising a sprawling family spanning five generations; Pauline embodies an often-overlooked part of America’s self described “Greatest Generation,” its women. Throughout this sensitive, visually inventive and surprisingly upbeat examination of advanced aging, her voice and attitudes reveal Pauline’s tenacious grit and razor sharp wit. At a moment that seems particularly apt, with future generations expected to survive to and exceed their 100th year, we witness a moving portrait of strength, humility and decency from a bygone era.
Credits
RICHARD RUTKOWSKI
DIRECTOR ASC. - DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Richard is an active cinematographer based in New York. His work on the first seasons of FX’s Cold War spy drama The Americans drew widespread critical acclaim. His camera work on the streaming drama Manhattan earned two ASC Award Nominations. Recent projects include Apple's TV’s Sugar, garnering both an Emmy nomination and the ASC Award this year for Outstanding Cinematography. His work also includes Masters of the Air, Apple TV's epic story of B-17 pilots in WWII and the third installment in the Band of Brothers franchise, produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. An earlier documentary, The Space in Back of You, chronicled the creative relationship between Japanese dancer Suzushi Hanayagi and theater maestro Robert Wilson. This documentary was screened in theaters internationally and aired on Arte Channel in France. Richard is one of Pauline’s fifteen grandchildren.
BETSY KENYON
PRODUCER
Betsy's art exhibitions, filmmaking and rambling lifestyle take her to many parts of the country and world. Four Directions, was recently exhibited at the United Nations in New York City, a project created while living in a camper van and traveling the contiguous United States. Her book, photo project and experimental film, Slumber, was exhibited and published in South Korea and documents our isolated & surreal nights of unrest during Covid. She recently co-wrote, directed and produced a techno-horror narrative film, Memento Mori, to be released in 2025. Her artwork can be found in many collections; including the Centre Georges Pompidou, The Art Institute of Chicago, Photography Collection; Museum of Modern Art/Franklin Furnace Book Collection; and Whitney Museum of American Art, Library.
Benjamin Ades
Associate Producers
Benjamin Ades is a filmmaker, primarily working in non-fiction and as a cinematographer on short form projects. He’s a recent member of the International Cinematographer’s Guild. His documentary work has been seen in over 45 film festivals such as the San Francisco International Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, Rooftop Film Festival and the National Film Festival for Talented Youth and exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. He is also a recent Harvard graduate.
James Lockowandt
Associate Producers
James Lockowandt is a filmmaker, primarily working in fiction. He is a recent Harvard graduate and former staff writer for the Harvard Lampoon.
Donations
This project is still in the final stages of completion, with costs of post-production and music rights yet to be paid. Promotion and entries to film festivals will be the next phase of spending on top of the production costs to date. Please consider making a donation to Pauline From 2 to 3, showing your support for the film with a tax deductible contribution.
