August 1, 1944 marked the final diary entry of Anne Frank, 80 years ago before the occupants of the Frank’s ‘hiding place’ in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam were deported. Fortunately for posterity, the diary was left, partially hidden under papers with her lesser known stories and essays compiled as Het Achterhuis, ‘the secret annex’ where Anne’s diary entries were addressed to her imaginary confidant, Kitty.
Read more: Anne Frank: Parallel Stories screens in Parktown
To honour her legacy as ‘the voice’ of The Shoah (Holocaust), co-founders of the Historic Documentary Film Society, Selwyn Klass and Henni Erasmus hosted a capacity attendance at Beit Emanuel Slome Auditorium, with the screening of Anne Frank Parallel Stories.
Anne’s diary entries were all retrieved by Miep Gies, secretary of Otto Frank, Anne’s father and the sole survivor of the Frank family.
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The acclaimed documentary, narrated by Dame Helen Mirren, is said to reflect Anne’s passionate zest for life. In his introduction, Klass commented on her ‘deep sense of values’. “Her diary entries serve as an invaluable source to comprehend the searing soul of a young girl who would note: ‘One day this terrible war will be over. The time will come when we will be people again and not just Jews!
‘We can never be just Dutch, or just English, or whatever, we will always be Jews as well. But then, we’ll want to be.’.”
In the documentary, five survivors who were Anne’s age when they too were sent to the camps were poignantly represented by Dutch Holocaust survivor Irene Fainman.
“There are fewer of us left today,” she said, adding lest the world, forgets.
Klass said their screening in tribute goes beyond Anne’s diary especially, for many who encounter it for the first time. “Even Madiba on Robben Island would note its potent power, it’s spiritual aftertaste. Anne’s ability to reflect what has become a lesson for millions. ‘In spite of everything, I still believe people are really good at heart.’.”
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