I Am Here
Documentary / Hybrid Animation
English | 76 minutes
2021
Ella is not your average 98-year-old. Her magnetic personality makes her past even more surprising. Follow this spirited South African Holocaust survivor as she reveals her astonishing life journey and unwavering appreciation of life.
About
This documentary contrasts Ella’s vibrant day-to-day life with stories of her experience surviving the Holocaust. These memories are depicted through dynamic 2D animation, innovatively bringing her storytelling to life.
Ella recalls bearing witness to losing her family, being a prisoner of three concentration camps, and narrowly escaping death in a gas chamber. However, she never lost the connection to the beautiful moments and people who changed her life forever. As tragic as her past has been, Ella triumphantly cherishes each moment and will stop at nothing to live life in a full spectrum of experience and joy.
A universal message of resilience – the documentary explores important themes such as the pervasive nature of xenophobia, the will of survival and most importantly: Hope.
I Am Here has been made with the guidance of the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre, assistance from the Cape Town Holocaust and Genocide Centre and a generous grant by The Claims Conference
Awards
- AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL, 2021:
- Best Director
- Audience Choice Award
- ATLANTA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL, 2021:
- Audience Choice Award
- DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, 2021:
- Audience Choice Award
- Best South African Documentary (Oscar Qualifying)
- JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (AU), 2022:
- Audience Choice Award
- JOZI FILM FESTIVAL, 2021:
- Best Director
- SOUTH AFRICAN FILM AND TV AWARDS, 2022:
- Best Documentary Feature
- Best Achievement in Editing: Documentary
- Best Achievement in Cinematography: Documentary
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