Nina Koocher's hour-shy documentary accompanies Holocaust survivors Celia and Morris Elbaum back to their Polish homeland—along with their Americanized children and grandchildren—a trip that leads the elderly couple to talk about their experiences as Holocaust survivors—rounded up, imprisoned, and finally liberated—while the younger generations come to understand more fully the horror of the elder Elbaums' suffering at the hands of the Nazi killing machine. Much of the film follows the family to heartwrenchingly contradictory sites—such as the couple's hometown city of Lódz and the various concentration camps in which they were held during the war. One can't help but be moved by the Elbaums' contrasting reactions to the places where they met and married compared to those where they watched relatives and friends perish. The remarks of the Elbaums' son and daughter and their grandchildren—also excerpted throughout—testify to the deepened realization of what their elders, and millions of others, endured during one of the 20th century's most agonizing periods. Although technically modest, How Much to Remember has a strong emotional impact. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
How Much to Remember
(2007) 57 min. DVD: $26.95 ($149.95 w/PPR). National Film Network. ISBN: 978-0-8026-0766-9. Volume 23, Issue 1
How Much to Remember
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: