Saul & Ruby's Holocaust Survivor Band

Saul & Ruby's Holocaust Survivor Band
A Film by: Tod Lending
(USA 2020, 80 min, English, English subtitles)

Like many survivors of the Holocaust, after World War II, Saul and Ruby moved to America, started families and careers, grew old, and retired to South Florida. For them, retirement could have been the last chapter in their story. But then they decided to start a klezmer band, named the Holocaust Survivor Band. The band summons the bittersweet memories of childhood in Poland, but more than that, it is a celebration of life. In this utterly heart-affecting and enthralling film, we follow Saul and Ruby’s musical journey, which begins in total obscurity, playing in residential homes for the elderly and small Jewish community organizations, to being invited to perform at venues across the country, including a coveted performance at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. This unique and compelling story is about having the courage to live one’s dreams, finding purpose and meaning in life at any age, the transcendent power of music, and the importance of speaking out against antisemitism and bigotry. 

FESTIVALS & SCREENINGS

Opening night and Grand Jury Prize - Miami JFF 2020: "The movie is a hugely inspirational work that records important history in a fresh and moving manner". 

Audience Choice Award for Best documentary - Atlanta JFF 2020

Chicago JFF

DocEdge – New Zealand

Wales International Doc Festival

Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center Special Screening

Ashville NC JFF

Rochester NY JFF

Jackson Hole JFF

Krakow Int'l FF

The Hampton Synagogue Special Screening

Victoria International JFF

Boston JFF

Jacksonville, FL JFF

MUZEUM KINEMATOGRAFII W ŁODZI Special Screening

Moscow JFF

Alpert JCC, Long Beach

Cincinnati JFF

Greater Hartford JFF

Harrisburg, PA JFF

Rutgers, NJ JFF

Tampa, FL JFF

Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, Cincinnati OH