Draft:The Weight of Memory: I Am Bernie Furshpan
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The Weight of Memory: I Am Bernie Furshpan
[edit]- The Weight of Memory: I Am Bernie Furshpan* is a 2024 documentary film directed by Christiane Arbesu. The film explores Holocaust remembrance, intergenerational trauma, and rising antisemitism through the story of Bernie Furshpan, who shares his father's survival story with students and community groups.[1]
The film premiered on May 4, 2024, at Manhasset Cinemas and was later screened on June 22, 2024, at the Triad Theater in Manhattan.[1]
Synopsis
[edit]The documentary follows Bernie Furshpan, vice chair of the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center, as he shares his father Moshe Furshpan's experiences during the Holocaust. Moshe, who was 10 years old at the time, fled alone into the forests of Nazi-occupied Poland (now Ukraine) and survived, while most of his town’s Jewish population perished.
Through interviews, public speaking engagements, and personal reflections, the film interweaves past and present narratives, highlighting both historical trauma and contemporary antisemitism. Director Christiane Arbesu uses a narrative-driven approach, combining intimate conversations with scenes of Furshpan speaking at schools and museums.[1]
Production
[edit]Director Christiane Arbesu conceived the film after hearing Furshpan speak at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Motivated by rising antisemitic incidents, Arbesu aimed to create a film that connects generations and raises awareness of the Holocaust’s enduring impact.[1]
Themes
[edit]The documentary addresses themes of memory, trauma, intergenerational transmission of pain, and resilience. Furshpan’s reflections include his father’s emotional struggles, his mother’s caregiving role, and the psychological inheritance of trauma, echoing concepts of intergenerational trauma explored by his twin brother, psychologist Mark Furshpan.[1]
Reception
[edit]Early audiences and reviewers described the film as an urgent and powerful call to action amid growing concerns about Holocaust denial and antisemitism. The LI Herald called it a “gripping documentary” that “weaves together memory, trauma and hope.”[1]
External links
[edit]- [Official website](https://iambernie.com/)
- [Terrebonne Productions](https://terrebonneproductions.com/)