SPRINGTIME IN WIELICZKA
Springtime In Wieliczka began as a story about two of the last remaining Holocaust survivors; Mike Schell and Rita Ross. Award-winning documentary filmmakers Jonathan Schell and Deborah Ridpath planned to follow the siblings, now in their 80’s, back to Europe to retrace their harrowing escape from the Nazi’s in World War II. To Never Forget.
The filmmakers have discovered that the siblings have taken very different life lessons from their shared experience, which included being processed in Auschwitz. Rita sees antisemitism everywhere and lectures about the Holocaust, feeling threatened. Mike, a successful businessman, wants to look forward and embrace only joy. He sees Israel as a reason that “Jews cannot be killed with impunity anymore."
Then, on October 7th, Hamas kidnapped and killed hundreds of Jews from Israel.
Mike’s repressed memories have come flooding back. The family is divided in their opinions on what is right and wrong in this situation. The stakes have never been higher. And what started as a journey to Never Forget has now become a mission to find a road map to Never Again.
The filmmakers urgently need the funds to shoot the European segment as soon as possible. A segment in Israel may be added at a later date.
The filmmakers have discovered that the siblings have taken very different life lessons from their shared experience, which included being processed in Auschwitz. Rita sees antisemitism everywhere and lectures about the Holocaust, feeling threatened. Mike, a successful businessman, wants to look forward and embrace only joy. He sees Israel as a reason that “Jews cannot be killed with impunity anymore."
Then, on October 7th, Hamas kidnapped and killed hundreds of Jews from Israel.
Mike’s repressed memories have come flooding back. The family is divided in their opinions on what is right and wrong in this situation. The stakes have never been higher. And what started as a journey to Never Forget has now become a mission to find a road map to Never Again.
The filmmakers urgently need the funds to shoot the European segment as soon as possible. A segment in Israel may be added at a later date.
If you would like to support the project, you can donate online by clicking the DONATE button below.
If you prefer to donate by check, please make your check payable to Katahdin Productions and reference
"Springtime In Wieliczka" in the memo line. Mail your check to:
Katahdin Productions
546 Alandele Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Your charitable gift is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. You will receive a formal receipt for tax purposes.
If you need additional assistance donating to the project, please email info@katahdin.org or call 323-424-4210.
On behalf of the filmmakers, thank you for your support!
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PROJECT DECK.
