The 21st Spokane Jewish Film Festival opened with two sold-out shows: a short documentary and a feature documentary. It was a rough but enlightening evening, learning about several Holocaust survivors who are still alive and sharing their stories.Â
JACK AND SAM is a twenty-minute film that features two men who survived the concentration camps working side by side and 89 years later were reunited by chance at a Holocaust reception dinner. They are both in their late 90’s and are not wasting another moment rekindling their precious friendship, bond, and love for one another. They live in the same care center now and travel together, talking to young people so that what happened to them can never be repeated.Â
Their harrowing lives gave them profound insight into how the Holocaust happened. Their zest for living every moment to its fullest is their revenge on Hitler’s plans for humanity. JACK AND SAM is a testament to how to go on and thrive. The film was beautifully shared through their narration, interviews, and animated clips from the past. It was seamless and allowed audiences the necessary moments for sadness and joy. My heart broke and soared with them as we revisited their life’s path. Excellent storytelling.Â
JACK AND SAM say the secret to living a long life is friendship. I’d say they have many more years ahead of them.
