US actor Jesse Eisenberg has officially obtained Polish citizenship, as announced by President Andrzej Duda, who praised the actor's decision to reconnect with his heritage. This significant moment coincides with Eisenberg's acclaimed film, A Real Pain, which tells the poignant story of two American cousins traveling to Poland to pay tribute to their grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, based on Eisenberg's great aunt.
During the citizenship ceremony, Eisenberg shared his reflections from filming in Poland: "As I walked the streets, it became clear that my family had lived in this place far longer than we have in New York." He emphasized the tragic history tied to his family’s past and expressed his desire to reconnect with the country. “This ceremony is my first step, on behalf of my family, to reconnect with this beautiful country,” he said.
Eisenberg's inspiration for A Real Pain came after the passing of his great aunt Doris at 106 years old in 2019. Doris had emigrated from Poland to the U.S. in 1938, while relatives who stayed behind were victims of the Holocaust. President Duda welcomed this acknowledgment of Polish roots, stating, “It delights me that people from across the ocean recognize their ties and seek to strengthen their connection to our country.”
Eisenberg, who received an Oscar nomination for writing the film, saw his co-star Kieran Culkin win the Best Supporting Actor award, marking a significant recognition for their powerful storytelling.
