Haagse Vrijheidsweken - Bewariërs

• Date: 05 May 14:00
• Location: Filmhuis Den Haag

The 70-minute documentary Custodians tells stories about the possessions handed over for safekeeping during World War II, their Jewish owners as well as their custodians. During the war, Jews had to hand over all their possessions to the occupying forces. Whatever was of any (emotional) value they were therefore forced to leave with non-Jewish acquaintances and neighbors for safekeeping. From precious jewelry to everyday furniture, everything was entrusted to others with the idea of retrieving it after the war. Of the Jews who eventually returned after the war, many were unable to move into their own homes. And although there were administrators who returned the goods as promised, this often did not happen. Those who held the Jewish property were referred to as "custodians": a contraction of the words "keep" and "aryan. A loaded term from a Jewish perspective because it indicates that Jews who returned after the war were once again wronged, this time by their own countrymen. Keepers presents three different stories that show the profound impact of these events. From keepers who were faithful to their promises and returned possessions, to the harrowing stories of those who refused to do so. The film highlights the searches for heirs of Jews who never returned from the camps, as well as the inner struggle of today's custodians over what to do with the possessions in their care.

Part of Hague Freedom Weeks 2024.

This year's theme is "Freedom Tells": about the prelude to 80 years of freedom and the scars left by World War II. Filmhuis Den Haag, like many other cultural institutions in the city, offers space for knowledge transfer and discussion: what does freedom mean to you? Feel free to come and think, discover and learn at Filmhuis Den Haag. This year we have an extensive program ready, which will be shown from April 11 to May 5.

Click here to see the rest of The Hague Freedom Weeks program.

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