Documentary ‘UnBroken’ Chronicles a Holocaust Survivor’s Journey

The chilling shadow of the Nazi regime loomed over the Weber children: Alfons, Senta, Ruth, Gertrude, Renee, Judith, and little Bela, the youngest among them. Yet, against insurmountable odds, they managed to survive the horrors of World War II, even while finding themselves in the heart of Berlin, under the relentless grip of the Third Reich.

The remarkable journey of the Weber siblings, their harrowing escapes from death, and their eventual immigration to the United States in 1946, is chronicled in the documentary UnBroken. The film, produced by Greenwich Entertainment, is directed by Beth Lane, the daughter of Bela.

Reflecting on her family’s resilience, Lane shared during a recent Q&A session in Los Angeles, where UnBroken is currently being screened, “What I’ve learned from my mom, her sisters, and my uncle is the power of unwavering hope.”

Despite the dark times, there should have been no reason for hope. The children were born to Jewish mother Lina Weber and father Alexander, who was a Catholic convert. Alexander endured imprisonment as a political prisoner in Oranienburg, one of the Nazis’ initial concentration camps. When the war erupted, Lina took immense risks to shelter persecuted individuals, including Jews and Roma. Tragically, she was murdered at Auschwitz in 1943.

The Weber children faced imminent deportation to Auschwitz but narrowly escaped a grim fate when Arthur Schmidt, a compassionate German farmer and family acquaintance, harbored them at his farm in Worin, outside of Berlin. The mayor of the town was aware of their presence but kept their secret. As the war intensified, the children and their father returned to Berlin only to find their home in ruins, destroyed by air raids. They took refuge in a U-Bahn station and barely escaped as Nazi forces inundated the tunnels.

“Why did we receive so many miracles?” Lane pondered.

To emigrate from Germany, the Weber children had to be classified as orphans, a decision made by their father in hopes of providing them with a brighter future in America. Eventually, all seven siblings reunited in New York before settling in Chicago.

“They are the only known family of seven siblings who survived and emigrated from Germany together,” Lane emphasized. “Their portrait even hangs in the last gallery of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum… They were featured in numerous press articles from that era, a testament to the significance of their story.”

Before departing for America, their father urged the siblings to remain united, a goal that ultimately proved unrealistic as they grew up in different households throughout the Chicago area. Bela, at just six years old during her immigration, was lovingly adopted by the Siegel family. Despite their attempts to stay connected, the trauma of separation weighed heavily on her.

“My mother struggled to adapt to her new life,” Lane recounted. “During her visits with her siblings, my grandparents would try to facilitate such meetings. However, she often returned home acting out in distress. Many social workers suggested to my grandparents that it might be better for Bela if she did not have contact with her birth siblings.”

The documentary captures the joyful reunion of the Weber siblings in 1986, 40 years after their arrival in the United States. Lane notes that this project has significantly impacted her mother’s understanding of her own history.

“She was so young that she didn’t fully grasp the trauma she endured,” Lane said. “Initially, my mother never identified herself as a Holocaust survivor or a refugee. However, throughout the process of creating this film, she has embraced those identities and has developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by today’s refugees. This journey has been profoundly positive for her.”

What began as a play transformed into a compelling documentary, unfolding as a significant and enlightening experience for Lane.

“I had never considered myself as someone affected by intergenerational trauma. Growing up in a picturesque suburb, my life felt perfect. Yet, I often grappled with unexplained rage and depression, questioning the reason behind my feelings. Upon understanding the burdens we carry within us and allowing those feelings to exist without fear, it became easier to cope with them. Now, I feel more at peace and in control of my emotions,” the director reflected.

UnBroken is set to be released on DVD on March 4. The film has already won several accolades, including Best Documentary Premiere at the Heartland International Film Festival and audience choice awards at various other festivals.

Produced by De Lamorandiere Rock Productions and the Weber Family Arts Foundation, UnBroken is a testament to storytelling with a purpose.

“This documentary marks the inaugural project of the Weber Family Arts Foundation. We aim to support various artists in their endeavors,” Lane said during the Q&A, elaborating, “Our goal is to combat antisemitism, bigotry, and hate through the arts, while sharing inspiring stories of hope. Hope is fundamental to my vision for the world and what I wish for everyone.”