The Love Story behind ‘Rambling Rose’

Rambling Rose films celebrated its 10th year anniversary in early 2011.

The idea to establish this company was first inspired by, and named after the greatest love story I know: the marriage of Rose Frank and Nicholas Rozgonyi, my grandparents. In many ways Rambling Rose films represents a tribute to their lives, while providing a way to keep their memories close to heart. Here is their story:

They met in the late 1930’s in Hungary, a country allied with Nazi Germany. Anti-Semitic laws were the norm and an increasing number of people were forced to go to labor camps for months at a time; establishments that with the advent of WWII were transformed into the horrid death camps of the Holocaust. It is against this backdrop that my grandfather, a member of a Christian family of noble lineage fell head-over-hills for my grandmother, a Jew. In fact, in 1940 they decided to get married, an act that went against not only the wishes of their families, but against the laws of the state as well: it was now illegal for Jews and Christians to unite in front of their God, the God of the Old-, and New Testaments.

Soon afterwards, my grandfather Nicholas was sent to the front. In March of 1944 Hungary was overrun by the Nazis who wasted no time in arranging for the execution of their “final plan”. While her Christian married name, blond hair and striking looks saved my grandmother her parents were not so lucky. As it became clear later, they were among the first people deported to Aushwitz.
Upon hearing the news, my grandfather deserted the army, a capital crime, in order to save his wife. It was on his way home that he was captured and became a prisoner of war. In captivity he met a fellow POW, a Russian artist who soon became his best friend. My grandfather told many stories of my grandmother Rose and their love to his friend. He often showed him Rose’s picture, a wrinkled black-and-white passport photograph that he carried in a pocket over his heart.

When the war ended and all were liberated the artist, as promised, visited my grandfather to finally meet his beloved Rose. As a present he gave them a root of the “Rambling Rose” that climbed his home. That rose soon took over their house, and became the symbol of their journey, one with thorns that they fought through, grew stronger as a result of, and became more beautiful than could ever be imagined.
For me, now an adult, as well as then, as a child, my grandparents incredible love story proved that if you persevere, you can do anything.