Virtual: Streams March 4 – 17
When conceptual artist Gunter Demnig first conceived the idea of laying Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”) for Roma, Sinti, and disabled victims of National Socialism in his native Germany, he never imagined his project would grow to become the world’s largest decentralized memorial. Today, Stolpersteine have been placed in 30 countries across Europe, and on May 23, 2023, Demnig laid the 100,000th. The Stolpersteine he crafted are, in theory, quite simple: concrete blocks measuring 10 x 10 cm, topped with permanent brass plates that are hand-stamped with the names and fates of victims of Hitler’s reign of terror. The stones are laid into the pavement in front of the last voluntarily chosen residence of those murdered by the Nazis. They are deeply personal and draw attention to individual tragedies. HERE LIVED charts the development and lasting emotional significance of his project as a remarkable mode of collective healing. This extraordinary tale of resilience, remembrance, and community deeply resonates in this moment. It is a timely and profoundly moving testament to the enduring power of human compassion and solidarity.
Director Bio: View on IMDB
Jane Wells is an Emmy Award-nominated filmmaker, best known for producing and directing TRICKED, a documentary about sex trafficking in the U.S., and for producing the groundbreaking documentary THE DEVIL CAME ON HORSEBACK, about the genocide in Darfur. Among her over 50 films and videos, she wrote and produced the award-winning documentary feature A DIFFERENT AMERICAN DREAM about environmental genocide on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, and produced LOST IN LEBANON about the Syrian refugee crisis. She is the founder of 3 Generations, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to tell the stories of survivors of human rights abuses. Her films have shown at many festivals, including Sundance, AFI/Silverrod’s, Hot Docs, Tribeca, and the American Indian Film Festival.
