At a premiere held this week in Haifa, the documentary Miss Holocaust Survivor, directed by Radek Wegrzyn, was screened for the first time. Filmed during a unique beauty contest organized by the Yad Ezer L\u2019Haver association, the film follows women aged 75 to 95\u2014all Holocaust survivors\u2014as they prepare to walk the runway.<\/p>\n
The moving event drew many guests, including ambassadors, consuls, director Wegrzyn, and two of the film\u2019s leading figures: Holocaust survivors Tova Ringer and Rita Kasimow Brown, who shared their life stories as part of the production.<\/p>\n
Healing, reflection, and memory through a dress and high heels<\/strong> But from the moment this film began, I realized it offered a different kind of experience. Miss Holocaust Survivor touches on deeply painful stories with rare gentleness, weaving together fragility and strength, sorrow and hope. The personal journeys of these brave women\u2014who continue stepping forward even as they look back\u2014reached something very deep within me.<\/p>\n Unlike my usual reaction to Holocaust films, I didn\u2019t feel overwhelmed\u2014I felt strengthened. Supported. As if the women themselves were saying: It\u2019s okay to remember, and it\u2019s okay to keep living.<\/p>\n Especially now<\/strong> In an interview with Rega NEWS, director Radek Wegrzyn spoke about the timing of the screening:
\nI came to the screening with slight hesitation. I usually avoid Holocaust films\u2014not because the stories matter less, but because the pain is so piercing, and the way it’s often portrayed\u2014graphic, harsh, soul-deep\u2014can leave a heavy echo for days.<\/p>\n
\nScreened against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza and the efforts to return the hostages, the film offers a renewed perspective\u2014one that centers on life after tragedy, and on the choice to embrace humanity and joy.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAfter October 7, many people asked me whether this was the right time for a film like this. And I say\u2014especially in times like these, we need to see films and hear stories about extraordinary women. Holocaust survivors endured horrific things in their youth and went on to build incredible lives. They have families, children, grandchildren. They are beautiful in the most complete sense. This is absolutely the right time for a film like this.\u201d<\/p>\n