I don’t know why it is, but I have always had a fascination with history. Even when I was in school, I made it a habit to read everything I could about the past even if some of what we were taught were revisionist versions. One subject in particular that really struck a chord with me was the Holocaust. I could never get it through my head how anyone could murder so many people. It is simply staggering. Granted there have been many other examples of genocide throughout history, some even greater in number, but what happened in Europe during the Second World War just stands out. What generally irks me is that there are people out there who try to claim these events never happened. These are generally misguided idiots whose agendas I have yet to figure out. Though the stories of the atrocities that took place during the Holocaust are horrific, they are interwoven with acts of heroism and sacrifice that convince me there is still hope for mankind. Oskar Schindler is a prime example. In spite of the fact that “Schindler’s List” doesn’t get the story exactly right, the spirit of the film reflects the fact that people of conscience still exist.

People who are willing to risk their lives for another. But we rarely learn about them in school. Up until the film came out I had never heard of Schindler. Unfortunately I don’t feel that this situation will ever be rectified. Schools will teach what they are allowed to teach and that’s pretty much it.

I’ve recently seen a documentary that I highly recommend, called “My Knees Were Jumping.” It’s about another subject that most of us have never heard about, the Kindertransports. It seems that with the imminent threat of a Second World War, nearly 10,000 children were sent by their parents from Poland, Austria and Czechoslovakia to live in England. Most had no idea that they might never see their parents again. Most never did. In an unselfish collective act of sacrifice, these children were spared the horrors of the concentration camps and were allowed to live.

One of the survivors, Ruth Morley went on to become an Academy Award nominated costume designer who worked on “The Miracle Worker”, “Annie Hall” and “Tootsie.” Morley’s daughter, Melissa Hacker was so moved by her mother’s experience that she decided to make a short film about it while studying at NYU. As she started doing her research, she began to recognize the enormity of the subject matter and decided to expand the film to include stories of other survivors. “My Knees Were Jumping” is Morley’s directorial debut and is a heart-wrenching montage of archival photos and film footage interspersed with interviews from survivors.

I challenge anyone to watch “My Knees Were Jumping” without breaking into tears. Learning of the sacrifices and the emotional turmoil the parents went through knowing full well that they were saying goodbye to their children for the last time. Knowing that they most likely had little time left to live, uplifted only by the fact that their children still had a chance. Could any of us make that sacrifice today? I wonder.

I’ve learned over the years that there are so many stories about the triumph of the human spirit that get overlooked. It is up to us to seek this knowledge out. It is up to us to pass it on to our children. As parents it is our responsibility to do everything we can for our children, just as the parents of the Kindertransports did, for they are our future.

As for whether or not parents should see “My Knees Were Jumping” and other documentaries like it? I can sum it up in three words. Watch, learn, teach.

Directed by: Melissa Hacker
Narrated by: Joanne Woodward
Extras: Filmmaker Biography
Specifications: Full Screen
Studio: Docurama
Release Date: 12/30/2003
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give My Knees Were Jumping an A.