During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, the Dutch developed the most sophisticated identity card system in the world to keep track of Jewish residents. Gay and lesbian artists driven underground came together and became active in the Resistance. Writer and painter Willem Arondeus and cellist Frieda Belinfante utilized their artistic skills to forge identity cards that saved thousands of Jews from the death camps. Their team even received financial support from Freddy Heineken, heir of the brewing empire. Putting their lives in danger, this ragtag gang of artists set out to lead a daring raid on the Population Registry, which housed duplicates of all identity cards. They had one rule: They refused to harm anyone in the process. What happened next inspired a nation, including Anne Frank, who wrote about the event in her diaries.
Stephen Fry embarks on a personal journey to Amsterdam, meeting with politicians, historians, and archivists to research this tragic and heroic tale to uncover why this story has remained hidden for so long. —Thaïs Miller
John Hay has directed TV adaptations such as Stig of the Dump, which won him his first International EMMY, and feature films including There's Only One Jimmy Grimble, which won the Crystal Bear at Berlin Film Festival and the Golden Gryphon at Giffoni.
Other work includes Autogeddon for the BBC which starred Jeremy Irons and won six international awards including the Jury Prize at Shanghai, and Cause of Death which won John the Golden Spire at San Francisco. John co-wrote and directed Lost Christmas, which starred Eddie Izzard, Jason Flemyng, Steven Macintosh and Geoffrey Palmer, The film was BAFTA-nominated and won John his second EMMY.
Recently John directed To Olivia, a film about Roald Dahl and the disintegration of his relationship with his wife Patricia Neal after the death of their daughter Olivia. The film starred Hugh Bonneville, Keeley Hawes, Sam Heughan and Geoffrey Palmer. To Olivia was released by Sky Cinema in the UK and around the world. in the US it was selected as the opening film at Annapolis Film Festival.
Co-sponsored by David Jadeson
$345 Members / $395 General Public
The best way to explore SFJFF in style. The All Festival Pass gives you priority entry to every moment of SFJFF44 at every venue, including Special Presentations, regular screenings, and online. Become a JFI member at the Patron level and receive an All Festival Pass in addition to a year's worth of member benefits!
Purchase