Watch After Auschwitz

After Auschwitz is a documentary film directed by Jon Kean that tells the powerful stories of six extraordinary women who survived Auschwitz and continued to live full and meaningful lives after their liberation. The film is an impactful and moving exploration of resilience, healing, and the human spirit. The six survivors featured in the film include Rena Drexler, Eva Beckmann, Renee Firestone, Erika Jacoby, Lili Majzner, and Linda Sherman. Each woman has a unique story to tell, and they all share their painful memories of living through one of the most horrific events in human history. Despite the unimaginable trauma they experienced, these women are united in their determination to seize life, celebrate their survival, and share their stories with the world.

After Auschwitz begins with footage of the six women returning to the concentration camp for the first time in decades. This powerful scene sets the tone for the rest of the film, as the women explore the ruins of the camp and share their memories of what it was like to live there. They point out the locations of where they slept, worked, and prayed - places that are now overgrown with weeds and foliage. We hear their voices tremble as they express their shock and sadness at the horrors that occurred in these very spots.

The documentary then shifts to a series of interviews and personal stories that recount the survivors' journeys before, during, and after their time in Auschwitz. We learn about their childhoods, their families, and what they were doing before they were taken to the camp. We hear about their experiences during the long and dangerous train journeys to Auschwitz, where they were separated from their families and subjected to unimaginable treatment by the Nazis.

The stories of these six women are heart-wrenching, but also inspiring. Despite the trauma they faced, they all found different ways to cope and rebuild their lives after the war. Many of them went on to marry, start families, and even start new careers. They all share a deep gratitude for the people who helped them during their darkest days, and a desire to spread messages of love and understanding in the world.

Throughout the film, there are also insightful and moving interviews with family members, friends, and colleagues of the six survivors. These interviews provide a broader context to their stories and help us understand how the women's experiences at Auschwitz have affected them and the people around them. For example, we hear from a granddaughter of one of the women who talks about the impact her grandmother's story has had on her own life and understanding of the Holocaust.

The film also explores the theme of trauma and healing, and how the women have coped with the emotional scars of their experiences. We see the women engaging in activities that have helped them heal, such as writing poetry, attending support groups, and traveling to speak about their experiences. There are also powerful scenes of the women coming together to celebrate life and their shared connection as survivors.

Overall, After Auschwitz is a powerful and moving documentary that shines a light on the resilience, strength, and humanity of six incredible women who survived the Holocaust. The film is a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome tragedy and rebuild, and a reminder that we must never forget the lessons of the past. It is a must-see for anyone who wants to learn more about the Holocaust, the survivors, and the importance of hope and healing.

After Auschwitz is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 74.