A Film By Johnathan Andrews
ABOUT THE FILM
Filmmaker, Johnathan Andrews, presents the true story of Lina Kantor (Amato), one of the few remaining survivors of the Holocaust now residing in Cape Town, South Africa.
This extraordinary documentary film explores the rare account of how the interventions of the Turkish Consul-General on Rhodes Island in Greece, Selahattin Ülkümen, saved 42 Jews from deportation by the Nazis to Auschwitz during July 1944 - World War II.
Lina speaks from the heart as she guides viewers through the history of her time spent on Rhodes Island as a child, and how her family was saved through the efforts of Selahattin Ülkümen. Yad Vashem ultimately recognised him as “Righteous Among The Nations” in 1989.
The Story Of Lina Amato is an honest and unforgettable story in commemoration of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day - 27 January.
The film was made in association with the Turkish Ministry Of Foreign Affairs and the Turkish Embassy in Pretoria.
FEATURING
Lina Kantor (Amato) - Holocaust survivor.
Richard Freedman - Director of the South African Holocaust & Genocide Foundation.
Elif Çomoglu Ülgen - Turkish Ambassador in South Africa (2017).
SPECIAL MENTION
Mehmet Ülkümen... Son of Selahattin Ülkümen.
Girolamo & Bianca Sotgiu... Amato family friends.
Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Turkish Embassy in Pretoria.
Cape Town Holocaust Centre.
RUNNING TIME
48 minutes
MEDIA RELEASES
Movie Poster
27 January 2018 - Film Premiere Announcement
In The Media
The Story Of Lina Amato was widely publisized. Below find some of the media coverage.
My View | The Arts At Large With Robyn Sassen
The consul, the child, his conscience, her piano
WHAT IS THE worst thing that can happen to a story about an historical atrocity? That it can be shunned? That it can be told too infrequently? That no one wants to experience it? None of these: the worst thing that can happen to a tale of atrocity is that it is told and retold and retold until its fire is dimmed by commonplace. Film maker Johnathan Andrews steps with sensitive wisdom around these pitfalls, to create something timeless and haunting in just 48 minutes.
South African Jewish Report
Lina Amato: Surviving when others didn’t
What does it do to one’s sense of self to be among a handful of people of your community saved from a violent death?
Lina Kantor (nee Amato) was eight years old in July 1944, when her world was shattered by Nazi deportations. How she was saved by the Turkish consul is the focus of a documentary by South African filmmaker Johnathan Andrews. The Story of Holocaust Survivor Lina Amato will be screened at Parktown’s Space Frame Theatre to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27.
Netwerk 24
Mozartfees: Joodse Kapenaar se verhaal vertel
Beeld
Mozartfees: Oorlewende van Jodeslagting vertel
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Pretoria News
A survivor’s story of Holocaust heroism
How a Muslim Turkish consul on the island of Rhodes helped save Jews from the death camps.
Weekend Argus
Muslim helped to save Jewish child
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