DAVENPORT, IOWA (October 4, 2022) — Two short films will screen free in the GIANT Screen Theater at the Putnam Museum and Science Center on October 9, beginning at 3PM, as part of the Out of Darkness: Holocaust Messages for Today fall program. Truth First Film Alliance has partnered with the Putnam Museum and Science Center to bring One Survivor Remembers and Visas and Virtue to the Quad Cities.
One Survivor Remembers is an Academy Award®-winning documentary that tells the story of Gerda Weissman Klein and her six-year ordeal as a victim of Nazi cruelty.
“One Survivor Remembers is the first film we thought of for this special Out of Darkness screening event,” said Kelly Rundle, co-executive director of Truth First Film Alliance. “We originally saw it in Los Angeles the day before it won an Academy Award. The film is a great example of the power of a personal story.”
Visas and Virtue, an Academy Award®-winning docudrama, will also be shown. Inspired by the true story of Holocaust rescuer Chiune "Sempo" Sugihara, who is known as "The Japanese Schindler," this film portrays his experience issuing illegal transit visas to Polish and Lithuanian Jews enabling thousands to escape the Holocaust. The films will be followed by a virtual Q&A with the director and star of Visas and Virtue, Chris Tashima.
According to Rundle, both films tell unforgettable and important stories about the Holocaust that will likely be new to those who attend.
The community-wide project, Out of Darkness: Holocaust Messages for Today, is a collaborative effort to promote programming to combat the damages that persecution and discrimination have on the community and the individual. Across the community, over twenty organizations are partnering to educate the leaders of today on these lessons from history and how they remain relevant. The goal of the project is to build a more vibrant, tolerant, and inclusive community.
“The Putnam is honored and inspired by our participation in the Out of Darkness collaborative and all of its partners,” said Putnam President and CEO Rachael Mullins. “That work continues with the Truth First Film Alliance. These films feature true stories of the heroes and survivors of the period and truly bring to life both the horror of the Holocaust and the ability to overcome injustice and persecution.”
The films and the special Q&A will be from 3-4:30 pm on Sunday, October 9. These screenings are FREE to the public. Both films contain adult themes and are not recommended for children under the age of twelve. The Putnam Museum and Science Center is a safe space where education and the creation of meaningful dialogue is a focus.
Out of Darkness was made possible with support from the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, Scott County Regional Authority, Regional Development Authority, Rauch Family Foundation II Inc, KWQC, and the Joyce and Tony Singh Family Foundation.
About the Putnam:
The Putnam Museum brings to life a sense of place, time, and purpose to ignite human potential and inspire our diverse community to learn about and care for our world and all its people. For more than 150 years, guests have experienced the Putnam’s permanent exhibits ranging from Unearthing Ancient Egypt to our family-favorite science galleries, as well as an array of programs and internationally-recognized traveling exhibits. The Putnam is dedicated to helping guests discover and explore in a friendly and engaging atmosphere, including wheelchair access throughout the museum and theater, sensory-friendly maps and backpacks, and wheelchairs available to borrow upon request. For more information about events, exhibits, and accessibility visit putnam.org.
About Truth First Film Alliance:
Truth First Film Alliance is a non-profit organization that promotes, supports, and encourages the production and exhibition of documentary and narrative films based on true stories through public presentations and educational programs in the Quad Cities region. For more information about this organization, visit truthfirstfilmalliance.org/.
About Out of Darkness: Holocaust Messages for Today:
Out of Darkness: Holocaust Messages for Today is community-wide collaborative project that provides programming to counter the damaging issues of persecution and discrimination that surrounded the Holocaust but are also still prevalent today. Out of Darkness programs promote dignity, diversity, equity, democratic values, human rights, and the power of the human spirit within their community. For more information about this project, visit outofdarknessqc.com.
