Film

Through the Eye of the Needle - The Art of Esther Nisenthal Krinitz
Produced and Directed by Nina Shapiro-Perl
An Art and Remembrance Production

This broadcast-length documentary film will illuminate the life and art of Esther Nisenthal Krinitz and bring her extraordinarily visual story of Holocaust survival to new and wider audiences. We are now in the final post-production and editing phase. Your generous support is needed to complete the film and tell this inspiring story.



Esther Nisenthal Krinitz searched for a way to keep alive the memory of her family lost in the Holocaust in Poland -- for herself and her daughters. She picked up her needle and went back in time... creating an eyewitness account ... and timeless art. Through a series of 36 large fabric collages with intricate embroidery, Esther re-tells the story of her childhood before, during and after Liberation.

Art and Remembrance is producing a documentary for broadcast and cable, for classroom and community settings, that will bring her art and her story to life.

The documentary will include beautiful filming of her artwork, along with interviews of Esther filmed before her death in 2001. But more than just a travelogue of Esther's art, this film will tell us about Esther... her character, her spirit, her artistry and the human capacity to create and heal. These paths will be illuminated for us by interviews with her daughters, a folklorist, and a psychologist.

The beauty of Esther's work makes the experience of war and genocide approachable. Audiences of all ages, including school-age children, have already connected with Esther as a young girl running away to survive. Teachers are already using the book and our website to teach about prejudice, racism, anti-Semitism, and genocide. In a world where these evils still destroy lives, Esther's story is a story for the world. That is why we are making this film.

We are at a critical stage. Filming is complete, but we need additional funding to add music, narration, graphics and animation, as we edit the entire film. Please help us to complete the film with a generous donation.