The Archives shines a light on Holocaust memory that is at risk of erasure. They hallowed spaces and places of stored history resound with the voices of the archives struggling passionately against time and disinformation to uncover, document and preserve the facts for those who keep searching for the truth.
Synopsis
A transcontinental cinematic journey into the hidden world of archivists who safeguard humanity’s most fragile records. Following descendants searching for traces of lost family histories, the film moves through Holocaust archives and global collections where documents become living witnesses. The Archives reveals the emotional weight of preserving memory and the human act of holding onto truth.
About the Director
Bernadette Wegenstein is a U.S.-Austrian documentary filmmaker living in the United States. Her film work focuses on feminist stories and erased histories. She has produced and directed several award-winning documentaries including The Conductor, which was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Arts & Culture documentary in 2022. She is currently developing a film project on unjust incarceration.
Artist Statement
My connection to this story is deeply personal. As a descendant of a Holocaust victim whose death is barely recorded, I am compelled to explore how archives preserve lives otherwise erased. I hope to inspire younger generations to search, question, and protect historical truth in a post-truth era.
Year
2026
Production Country
USA
Production Company
Ein Susses Geheimnis, LLC
Subject Region
Austria, USA, Brazil, Italy, Israel
Director
Bernadette Wegenstein
Producers
Bernadette Wegenstein
Henrique Landulfo
Renée Frigo
Cinematographer
John Benam
Principal Cinematography
Mustapha Barat, abc
Editor
Stefan Fauland, aea
Júlia Pechman, edt.
Lead Researcher and Assistant Director
Käthe Erichsen
Funding
With Assistance from Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany
Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Finance
Stills
