An inspiring story about the transformative power of friendship and healing, based by true eventsHerbert Heller (Stephen Lang, Avatar) carries a traumatic secret: now the beloved owner of a toy store in Northern California, Herbert is a Holocaust survivor. The Nazis forced him into the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp at age 12, but he managed to escape and kept the secret from everyone—including his own children—for 60 years. When Herbert is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he befriends Abbey (Elsie Fisher), an isolated teenager whose own struggles inspire him to open up.
Beautiful performances from Lang and Fisher anchor a tale of personal strength and sacrifice in this cinematic masterpiece. Set in locations as disparate as Terezín, Prague, and the Avenue of the Giants drive in California’s Humboldt Redwoods State Park, this is a tender depiction of an intergenerational friendship that offers the unlikely pair a path toward healing.
“I love the way this film intertwines past and present, and tells a story that affects all generations... One person can make a difference; a giant! A terrific film.” —Liam Neeson
WINNER: Miami Jewish Film Festival (Jury Award)