In June 1943, Germany infamously declared Berlin “judenfrei”—“free of Jews.” But at that moment there were still 7,000 Jews living in the Nazi capital: hiding in attics, basements, and warehouses, protected by courageous Berliners while desperately trying to avoid deportation. Only 1,700 lived to liberation.

The Invisibles tells the stories of four survivors, interweaving their testimony with highly accomplished dramatizations, an unusual hybrid approach that brings edge-of-the-seat suspense to their years spent underground. The two men and two women whose stories unfold are well chosen, and their younger selves are sensitively portrayed: Cioma is an art student who uses his drafting skills to forge passports in exchange for food ration cards; Hanni dyes her hair blond and tries to pass as Aryan; teenager Eugen is handed to a succession of sympathetic Communist families; and Ruth must resort to roaming the streets before being taken in by a surprising protector. If their stories sound contrived, The Invisibles makes their veracity all the more stunning.

DOORS open at 12:30pm ~ ADMISSION by donation.

N O T E
Ash Street AND 45th Ave ARE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC

TO REACH THE UNDERGROUND PARKING
Access the back lane via West 49th Ave, approaching from the east (Cambie).

TO REACH US BY WALKING
Approach from Cambie St.
Traverse the walkway on the North (right) side of the Alliance Française and
follow the laneway around to the front of the Peretz Centre.

Festivals and Awards

Audience Favorite - Silver Award, Mill Valley Film Festival 2017

Screening Details

Film Info

Year2017
CountryGermany
DirectorClaus Räfle
CastMax Mauff, Alice Dwyer, Ruby O. Fee
Runtime 110 min
LanguageGerman w/English subtitles
Genre , ,