The film tells the remarkable story of Wilfrid Israel – a wealthy Jewish businessman and owner of Berlin’s largest department store in the 1930’s who was involved in the saving of tens of thousands of Jews, and played a key role in the Kindertransport operation. Israel was a member of one of Germany’s most prominent Jewish families and acquainted with some of the most influential figures of the 20th century, yet little is known about his personal life and heroic endeavours. Why did his story remain untold? What was there to hide?
Based on Naomi Shepherd’s book 'Wilfrid Israel – German Jewry's Secret Ambassador' (1984), which exposed Wilfrid Israel’s biography for the first time and was awarded the Wingate Prize, his mysterious story becomes personal as filmmaker Yonatan Nir takes us on an adventure in search of this extraordinary man, and the real reasons for his disappearance from history.
Written by: Ilan Baer, Ophir Bear; based on Naomi Shepherd’s biography 'Wilfrid Israel – German Jewry's Secret Ambassador' (1984)
Directed by: Yonatan Nir
Cinematography: Yoav Kleinmann
Produced by: Noam Shalev (Highlight Films LTD)
Editing by: Tal Brog
Music by: Mara
Documentary, 82 min, 2016
Languages: Hebrew, German and English with English subtitles
The link was active for a limited amount of free viewings – from 12/06/21 to 19/06/21.
