Henny and Hannover Coming to terms with the past. And the future

Synopsis

The film will be structured as a series of vignettes that will reveal facets of Henny Simon’s life and explore her memories of the Holocaust, her experiences in Hannover during and after the war, and her return visits in recent years. It will also touch in her life in America. Some vignettes will show what Hannover has done to remember and atone. Hannover’s history connects to Henny’s life and the future of Holocaust understanding and memory. It connects to Henny and Benny’s work in schools throughout Connecticut. We will explore how individuals and societies remember history and come to terms with painful past experiences. Henny’s story will be our path to dealing with  current issues. We intend for the film to raise awareness of the consequences of hatred and encourage viewers to recognize and act when hatred, bigotry, and racism arise.

About the Directors

For 35 years Jerry Fischer served as Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Eastern CT. He produced 3 films, including the feature length documentary Harvesting Stones, broadcast on CPTV. He is now working full time on Henny and Hannover. 

In a career that has spanned more than fifty years, National Geographic photographer and filmmaker Todd Gipstein has filmed, written and produced dozens of award-winning documentaries. His work has taken him around the world.