Holocaust survivor documentary to be shown at MMU

A STUNNING documentary chronicling one Holocaust survivor’s trip back to the sites of his childhood will be shown at MMU next month.

Distinguished historian Professor Shimon Redlich will show and discuss his documentary Shimon’s Returns, which was filmed recently in Poland and Ukraine. The event has been supported by the Holocaust Educational Trust.

Born in the Polish town of Brzezany (today Berezhany, in Ukraine) before the Second World War, Shimon and his family were forced into hiding during the Nazi occupation.

He and his mother survived, aided by local Poles and Ukrainians, who risked their own lives in saving Jews.

“Seeker of goodwill”

The film explores Shimon's return to the sites of his childhood. A collector of memories and seeker of goodwill, Shimon takes a journey across Poland and Ukraine that uncovers the brighter sides of the darkest times.

Senior Lecturer in Modern European History Dr Sam Johnson, who organised the event, said: “Holocaust survivor Shimon Redlich's story takes us out of the camps and relays a positive tale of rescue and hope.

“His film gives insight into Jewish relations with their Polish and Ukrainian neighbours, both before and during the Holocaust, and how some risked their own lives to save Jews.”

The talk and film screening will take place in Lecture Theatre 7 in the Geoffrey Manton building at MMU at 2pm on April 29.

Tickets are free, but places can be reserved online here: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shimons-returns-holocaust-survivor-talk-and-film-tickets-15828281817?aff=es2