Four Seasons Lodge

Four Seasons Lodge, directed by Andrew Jacobs and released in 2008, is a heartwarming, life-affirming documentary that centers around a group of Holocaust survivors who meet annually during the summer at a Catskills resort known as "Four Seasons Lodge." In capturing the beauty and wrinkles of time through both laughter and tears, the movie offers a profound insight into the human capacity for resilience, enduring friendships, and the shared experience of collective memories inherent in their unique bond.

The movie is not a sad tale, as one might initially deduce from its Holocaust-connected theme. Instead, it’s a narrative filled with vitality that draws attention to the survivors' zest for life. It presents an opportunity to experience the world from a different perspective: through the lens of resilience, fervor for life, and tenacity to remember but move forward. It is a testament to how the human spirit can triumph over catastrophe.

Jacobs spends time with each of the residents at the lodge. He captures their interactions through a transparent, respectful, and sensitive lens, revealing their optimism and resilience. These are folks who, despite their shared trauma, have taken the decision to continue living, laughing, and loving. They engage in everyday activities like swimming, playing cards, dining together, and such trivial tasks comfortably, highlighting a sense of preserved normalcy, even after witnessing the direst moments.

To watch Four Seasons Lodge is to witness a preserved piece of history. It offers dialogue and personal accounts that books or historical documents may not describe. However, the movie does not dwell much on the details of past atrocities. Instead, it focuses on how these resilient individuals have moved past their experiences without forgetting them. The survivors share stories about their lives before, during, and after the war, demonstrating their strength to reestablish normal lives in the aftermath of a genocide that they managed to survive.

Given their advanced age, this group of survivors found solace being together in an environment where they could understand and empathize with each other's experiences. It adds a compelling slice-of-life vantage point to these resilient individuals. Each survivor has a tale to tell, but the film is careful to show that these accounts do not entirely define them. Instead, they are parents, grandparents, friends, lovers - people living their lives to the fullest.

The documentary beautifully illustrates the power of camaraderie and the strength of a communal spirit. It's a tale of unity, of how human connection and shared joy can mend the deepest of wounds. Between the laughter, the dances, and the spirited conversations – often punctuated with Yiddish phrases – viewers get to see survivors in their everyday glory, taking as much from life as life once tried to take from them.

The photography in Four Seasons Lodge is gorgeous, capturing the natural beauty of the Catskills. It deeply contrasts the dark and horrific days these individuals once endured, underlining the stark difference. The film’s musical score, featuring Klezmer tunes, aligns perfectly with its scenes, adding an emotional color to the narrative. Notably, former New York Times reporter Andrew Jacobs beautifully combines his journalistic knack for finding deeply human stories with his directorial prowess to give a respectful portrait of these individuals.

A striking feature of Four Seasons Lodge is its delicate balance between remembering the tragic past and celebrating the joys of the present. It’s not just a film about Holocaust survivors. It’s a film about enduring friendship, about how people from different walks of life can find unity in shared experiences, and most importantly, about the fulfillment of life despite its trials.

Overall, Four Seasons Lodge is an indispensable contribution to Holocaust history told through the unique perspective of its survivors at the Catskills retreat. By the end of the documentary, viewers are left with a resonating sense of gratitude, admiration, and a hearty appreciation for life's simple joys. Even amid the steady hum of history, the film emphasizes that joy, camaraderie, and life itself always endure against adversity.