Bracha kept her incredible story hidden for over 50 years, never telling a soul about it. At the age of 74 and after being diagnosed with cancer, she began to recall the horrible events she had kept hidden in her memory.
She was one of the many people who attempted to flee when Hitler attacked Europe in 1940. With no money, only her passport and the clothes she was wearing, she survived a 12-day journey across central Europe on foot and a boat journey across the channel.
Bracha was also my great-grandmother, a woman I never met but whose memories are kept alive through my family’s histories.
History is repeating itself in the world right now, and it appears that us as humans are still unable to learn from our mistakes in the past.
I believe that bringing this story to the screen will attract the attention of a larger audience that will shed light on the serious matters of the modern world. We are yet to learn from our mistakes and why people should be kind and not give up. History is the human story, it is the ongoing drama for survival, thriving and achievement.
Experiencing a piece of Bracha’s journey in this format could help shift people's perspectives on the cost of conflict and how precious and fragile peace is.
This short film about my great grandmother will be unique as Bracha’s true story has not been told in a film format before. Her personal account is truly remarkable and unique set in the context of the historical period, and monumental events leading up to evacuation of the British army at Dunkirk.
A cassette tape is loaded into a tape player, the lid closes, and the play button is pressed. You can hear a woman’s voice as she starts talking about her journey for survival. Her name is Bracha Esther Klein-Ova.
Re-trace her journey through a reconstructed visual map of her route. Listen to an audio recording of Bracha speaking about the good and evil she faced on her journey, just before she passed away in 1992. Witness reconstruction based on some of the events that occurred along Bracha's path to escape. A discussion with multiple generations of her family that explore the struggles she overcame to reach freedom.
I have obtained the rights to use a previously published biographical novel called Passport to Freedom by Anthony Lenard Laye which is a personal account of Bracha’s journey, and from which parts of Bracha’s story will be adapted from. I also have in my possession her handwritten notes of her family tree, photographs, as well as her passport and papers she carried with her on her journey, and the original and digital copies of her speaking of her experiences.
Aaron Hart Director
Hello, my name is Aaron and I am the director for this documentary, Bracha: Passport to Freedom. This project is close to my heart as it is about my great-grandmother, whose bravery and persistence means I am here now to tell her story, and because of its relevance to me I hope I can make an emotional film that is faithful to her experience.
Jake Owen Producer
Hello, my name is Jake and I am Bracha: Passport to Freedom’s producer. Having garnered experience in producing and assistant directing roles throughout university thus far, I feel confident that I can bring focus and coolness to ensure my aim for the film - to create an immersive exploration of the powerful story of Bracha Ester - is achieved.
Joe Kelly Co-producer
Hello, my name is Joe and I am the co-producer for Bracha: Passport to Freedom. I have been producing at university for three years and shall be combining this with my interest in history to tell Bracha Ester’s incredible journey, after being drawn by Aaron’s passionate pitch and recognising the parallels with the current situation in Eastern Europe.
Sam Editor
Hello, my name is Sam and I am the editor for Bracha: Passport to Freedom. Having taken a year out to start up my own videography business, I can bring to this film professional experience that will bring different elements together in a cohesive way, which I hope will express Bracha’s story as she first did.
Vlad Catoiu Director of Photography (DoP)
I am Vlad and I am Bracha: Passport to Freedom’s director of photography. For me, the same way film crystals form around the light they are exposed to, my eyes perceive the world around me in all its intricate shapes. My goal is to capture the details of a true story that connected with me, and I hope to make people as passionate as I am about visually bringing it to life.
Bruno Healy Production designer
My name is Bruno and I am Bracha: Passport to Freedom’s production designer. I am looking forward to understanding and capturing Bracha’s perilous journey by immersing myself in her experience, which I hope will help in creating a documentary that allows the audience to understand too.