Who Will Write Our History

Who Will Write Our History is a powerful, emotional, and inspiring documentary-drama from the year 2018. Providing a captivating glimpse into a haunting chapter from history, the film dives deep into the seldom-told story about the secret resistance group in the Warsaw ghetto during World War II. Helmed by Roberta Grossman and starring skilled actors like Jowita Budnik, Piotr Glowacki, and Piotr Jankowski, the movie is based on the book of the same name, written by historian Samuel D. Kassow.

The film effectively sheds light on the Oyneg Shabes group, a Jewish resistance organization. They utilized any means necessary to defy the Nazis, risking everything to ensure that the truth about what happened in the Warsaw Ghetto would be known to the world, even if they themselves didn't live to tell the tale.

The movie masterfully intertwines two highly engaging forms of storytelling. It blends traditional documentary narrative with dramatized scenes that provide a vivid and striking portrayal of events. Jowita Budnik and Piotr Glowacki play Rachel Auerbach and Emanuel Ringelblum, respectively, both real members of the Oyneg Shabes. They offer powerful performances, portraying the defiant courage and unwavering determination of these resistance fighters.

Facing murderous persecution, the members of the secret society resolved to resist by documenting their experiences. Instead of using weapons or violent rebellion, their main tool was their words. This group, comprised of journalists, scholars, and community leaders, compiled thousands of documents, testimonies, and accounts of life in the Ghetto along with scholarly papers, works of fiction, and poetry. Their tireless work resulted in the clandestine creation of the most significant archive during the Holocaust.

Their collected works, however, were far from being mere historical records, encapsulating the full human experience that was unfolding in the Warsaw Ghetto - the good, bad, and tragically ugly. They exquisitely captured the breadth of emotion and thoughts brewing in the population at the time; from despair, bravery, anger, to slight glimmers of hope.

The film employs an effective narrative device of using the archival words from the Oyneg Shabes. Not only were their documents narrated powerfully, but the dramatized scenes also portrayed the unbearable conditions under which these were written. Hence, the film's raw and thought-provoking attributes make it an unforgettable experience, perfectly encapsulating the battle these individuals faced to maintain their humanity amid the inhumane circumstances, striving to record their history in their own words.

Supplementing the dramatizations and narrations are interviews with Holocaust scholars and historians. These experts provide valuable insights and interpretations about the significance of the documents and the extraordinary risk taken by the authors to write, conceal, and preserve them. Their contributions to the narrative make the Oyneg Shabes story even more gripping and profound, reinforcing the importance of the extraordinary group's endeavor.

Who Will Write Our History doesn't shy away from the grim realities of life in the Ghetto, but it also doesn't let the resistance story's power and heroism be buried under the weight of these realities. Its tight direction, superbly written script, excellent performance by the ensemble cast, and realistic production design recreate a slice of history which had been nearly forgotten.

Despite the bleak setting, the film shines brightly, illuminating an incredible story of resistance, survival, and the remarkable power of the written word. It thoughtfully poses the question: Without a recorded history, do we cease to exist as humans?

In conclusion, Who Will Write Our History is a powerful testament to the human spirit's resilience and the determination to not let the truth be buried. It is an enlightening watch that is equally heart-wrenching and inspiring, which not only informs but also acts as a moving tribute to the courageous Oyneg Shabes members. This gripping and thought-provoking film offers a unique perspective of the Holocaust, reminding viewers once more about the darkest chapters of human history and the vital importance of keeping these memories alive.