A road to understanding: “Granny Project” at the 2025 goEast Festival of Central and Eastern European Film

Granny Project (2017), directed by Bálint Révész, is an introspective and unique documentary, following the journey of three boys uncovering their grandmothers’ complex pasts over the course of seven years. Embarking on a road trip across Europe, candid conversations create understanding between the families who, in the past, were once at odds with each other.   

Following the personal histories of a British spy, a Hungarian Holocaust survivor, and a German dancer and former member of the Hitler Youth, this film is unique in many senses. Révész explores the vastness of the documentary genre by straying away from a typical interview format, instead composing his film primarily of home videos and “vlog” style shots. Balancing lighthearted, fun scenes with somber, dark conversations, there is a compelling juxtaposition that showcases the difference in generations, but also the difference in seasons of life.

Early in the film, viewers are presented with a scene of the boys, roleplaying Nazis hunting civilians during the war. They are laughing at each foul phrase yelled at each other, and seemingly, this is one of their favorite games to play when together. While all in good fun, the contrast with the grandmothers beginning to open up about their past is jarring. The traumas of each grandmother, each manipulated in a different way by forces bigger than themselves, are so foreign to the younger generation that it has become a game not just for their grandsons, but so many across the globe. For younger generations of Brits, Germans, and Hungarians, safety on such a grand scale has never been a question, as their nations have not been in active war since the youth of their grandmothers.

Bringing together these women, who had such different and rivaling pasts in the most turbulent period of the 20th century, was a testament to the pursuit of understanding. While tense at times, it is clear that there was a deep self-reflection by the women, and while actions cannot be reversed, the beauty of aging is growth, is the ability to understand others and pursue tough conversations in a mature, composed manner.

One good example of this was a lunch scene — while speaking of the scenes of the road trip, the German grandmother begins repenting and seeking forgiveness from the Holocaust survivor, who takes the apology in with a sense of numbness. It feels like watching a confessional, deep and personal, accompanied by a soft tension. The grandsons nervously drink and look around, not knowing what to do or where the conversation is headed. It is extremely human.

Though it lacks the polish of a Hollywood-level production, the documentary excels in its emotional honesty by covering the traumas of one of the most complex periods in recent history. Some scenes lack a clear resolution, cutting before conversations reach their peak potential, but the raw honesty and dedication to change in each character is where its merits lie. The language barriers among the grandmothers at times limit the depth of their exchanges, yet the film still achieves in its mission to explore how bonds can grow across culture and generations. 

Conceptually, Granny Project is strikingly original — in its format, its timespan, and its themes.If you’re looking for a tender yet thought-provoking film with distinctive characters and a bold approach, Granny Project is well worth adding to your watchlist.

Granny Project (2017) was screened on 24 April as part of the 2025 goEast Festival of Central and Eastern European Film.