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HBO Film “The Number on Great-Grandpa’s Arm” Introduces Holocaust History to New Generation at NY’s Museum of Jewish Heritage

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When 10-year-old Elliott asks his 90-year-old great-grandfather, Jack, about the number tattooed on his arm, he sparks an intimate conversation about Jack’s life that spans happy memories of childhood in Poland, the loss of his family, surviving Auschwitz, and finding a new life in America.

A new installation features the HBO and Museum of Jewish Heritage documentary The Number on Great-Grandpa’s Arm and presents acclaimed artist Jeff Scher’s original artwork for the film. The special installation The Number on Great-Grandpa’s Arm opens on January 21, in advance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27,) at the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. The installation will be on view through April 29, 2018.

The 18-minute film can be seen on a continuous loop in the gallery beginning on January 28, following its broadcast debut on HBO on January 27. When 10-year-old Elliott asks his 90-year-old great-grandfather, Jack, about the number tattooed on his arm, he sparks an intimate conversation about Jack’s life that spans happy memories of childhood in Poland, the loss of his family, surviving Auschwitz, and finding a new life in America.

Elliot and Jack’s tender exchange is woven with historical footage and hand-painted animation to tell a heartbreaking story of Jewish life in Eastern Europe before and during the Holocaust.

Jeff Scher’s rotoscope animation sensitively and evocatively brings the film’s archival footage and photos to life. The installation features 24 of Scher’s original watercolors and 400 digitized images drawn from 20 sequences used in the film.

In addition to the presentation of the film, the installation contains two additional video panels. One panel features powerful conversations between survivors and young people—members of “the fourth generation.” The other shows a short video about the animation process, produced by HBO.

Visitors of all ages are invited to explore this incredible work, view the film, and experience the power of survivors’ stories. The installation is recommended for ages 8 through adult.

“It has been an honor to work with HBO Documentaries to present a story for the entire community. The installation is an example of the work we are doing to ensure that we will never forget, and we will not allow the memory of millions to pass into stony silence. We owe it to our children to insist that when we mourn those who were murdered and comfort those who suffered, we tell their stories with the utmost respect for their human dignity. It is a powerful answer to the Nazis’ thwarted ambition,” said Museum CEO & President Michael S. Glickman. “This important story would not have been told had it not been for the creativity commitment of Shelia Nevins and her incredible team at HBO.”

Museum tickets, which provide access to all permanent and special exhibitions, can be purchased online at mjhnyc.org or in-person. The Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust is located at 36 Battery Place in Lower Manhattan.

The HBO film, which is co-presented by HBO and the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, is executive produced by Sheila Nevins, and directed and produced by Amy Schatz.

The Museum’s installation is made possible in part by the Murray and Frida Krell Testimony Fund.

ABOUT THE FILM

The Number on Great-Grandpa’s Arm was directed and produced by Amy Schatz; executive producer Sheila Nevins; producer Lynn Sadofsky; animation by Jeff Scher; edited by Tom Patterson; director of photography Alex Rappoport; music composed by Keith Kenniff; animation producer and graphic design Bonnie Siegler, Eight and a Half; associate producer Alex Pitz; researcher Rebbie Ratner; inspired by the book The Number on My Grandfather’s Arm by David A. Adler; production executive Susan Benaroya; and supervising producer Lisa Heller.

The film The Number on Great-Grandpa’s Arm, presented by HBO with the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, debuts Saturday, Jan. 27 (6:00-6:20 pm ET/PT), International Holocaust Remembrance Day, exclusively on HBO. The film will also be available on HBO On Demand, HBO NOW, HBO GO and affiliate portals

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Jeff Scher’s work is found in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, Academy Film Archives, the Harvard Film Archives, and the Pompidou Centre.

Edited by: JV Staff

 

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