A German-Jewish immigrant, Carl Laemmle founded Universal Studios, created the Star system, and produced classic horror films. But in 1936, he was forced to sell Universal and then spent the last three years of his life rescuing Jews from Nazi Germany. This story is hardly known, even in Hollywood...
In 2010, Deborah Blum, Carl Laemmle's cousin, received a mysterious invitation to a VIP Tour at Universal Studios and began investigating her ancestor and meeting new relatives. Her new-found relatives told her Carl Laemmle was a Holocaust hero but didn't know what happened to many of the families Carl saved. Deborah was able to locate three families living in California and learn their stories of survival.
Then in December 2016, Deborah, Warren and their eleven-year old daughter Esther were invited to Baden-Wurttemberg, Southern Germany, for the opening of an exhibit honoring Carl Laemmle. This voyage became a journey of discovery, a means of reconnecting to the past and a vehicle for paving a path forward.
From the film:
Sandy Einstein remembers his father Hermann.
HERMANN EINSTEIN: A Hebrew teacher in Germany, Hermann left with Carl Laemmle in 1937.
Holocaust scholar Dr. Berenbaum and Deborah discuss Germany under Hitler.
KAREN SCHLOSS HEIMBERG: Karen's father Lou was rescued by Carl Laemmle as a teenager.
BEHIND THE SCENES: Warren filming at the Montmartre Cemetery in Paris.
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