Mensch

Mensch (2023), directed by Paweł Wysoczański, is a biographical documentary exploring the remarkable life of Ludwik Hirszfeld, a pioneering immunologist and hematologist whose work shaped modern blood science.
Against the backdrop of the 20th century’s greatest upheavals, Hirszfeld’s story is one of perseverance, ethics, and scientific devotion. He confronted war, anti-Semitism, and political pressure, yet remained committed to the ideal that science should transcend borders and divisions.

Interwoven throughout is the story of his marriage to Hanna, whose support was integral to his mission. Together, they navigated exile, professional setbacks, and personal loss.
Featuring archival materials, testimonies from scientists in Poland, the U.S., Germany, Switzerland, Serbia, and more, Mensch illuminates both the human and scientific legacy of a man often overlooked in popular narrative.

With a runtime of about 77 minutes, Mensch invites reflection on the intersections of ethics, science, and identity during times of conflict and change.