Neshoma

Synopsis

NESHOMA is set in Amsterdam between World War I& II, when one out of ten of the city’s residents was Jewish. Seventeen-year-old Rusha lives in the Jewish quarter with her family. Her older brother Max has emigrated to the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia. In her letters to Max, Rusha recounts daily life in the city. This creates a vivid image of Amsterdam during the interwar period, from the perspective of the Jewish community.

The film begins shortly after World War I, a period full of confidence in the future. The combination of Rusha’s letters and archival footage creates a colorful portrait of proud diamond cutters; haggling traders at the flea market; cabaret artists with songs that everyone sings along to; city officials like De Miranda, who are committed to social housing; and the entrepreneurs behind warehouse De Bijenkorf, the luxurious Amstel Hotel, and cinema Tuschinski. These stories illustrate the importance of the Jewish community to the city.

The initial optimism after World War I is gradually tested by a severe economic depression and the rise of fascism, leading to the occupation of The Netherlands. Humor and zest for life, the “lechajim,” provide comfort to the Jews in times of adversity. Against this backdrop, Rusha grows from a young girl into an independent woman, lovingly navigating between the ideas of her socialist father and the religious beliefs of her husband. The outbreak of World War II presents her with an impossible choice.

NESHOMA is not only about the lives of those who are no longer here, but also about what they have left behind: the Jewish soul of Amsterdam, the neshoma.

About the Director

SANDRA BEERENDS is a director and screenwriter and worked as script editor and creative producer for the Dutch public broadcaster (NTR) for over 35 years. She has been a guest lecturer at institutions such as the Netherlands Film Academy and a mentor at Berlinale Talents. She was a jury member for the Prix Europa, Prix Jeunesse, Cinekid and InternationalFilm Festival Rotterdam, among other festivals. In 2012 she wrote the short film ARIGATO. In 2019 she made her directorial debut with the documentary THEY CALL ME BABU, which premiered at IDFA. The film was the Dutch entry for the Oscars, was nominated for an International Emmy Award, and won (among other prizes) the Viktor Award at the Munich International Dokumentary festival, the Focal Award (best use of footage in a History feature) and two Dutch Academy Awards (best documentary & best edit.)

Artistic Statement

As an Amsterdam-based filmmaker, married into a Jewish family, I feel a strong connection to the history of Jewish Amsterdam. Before World War II, one in ten residents of Amsterdam was Jewish. They felt at home in a city where migrants had found a safe haven for centuries. With NESHOMA, I have tried to bring pre-war Jewish Amsterdam to life.

Behind the names and dates on memorial plaques and monuments lies a hidden world. Who were these Jews? What did their Amsterdam look like? Through Rusha’s story, based on the testimonies of survivors, I aim to make tangible how Jews experienced life, unaware of the catastrophe that awaited them. NESHOMA is composed of hundreds of fragments of archival material, some of which have never been shown before. This allows us to catch a glimpse of their lives and gives us the feeling that, for a fleeting moment, we have stepped into their world.

NESHOMA is a tribute to the pre-war Jewish community to which Amsterdam owes so much. It is a contribution to the ongoing dialogue about the importance of a safe city for all its residents.

Festivals, Screenings, & Awards

IDFA (2024) – World Premiere