Inside Hana's Suitcase
Film Info
Country Canada
Language English
Year of Release 2011
Running Time 90 minutes
Crew
Director Larry Weinstein
Writer Thomas Wallner
Producer Rudolf Biermann
Producer Jessica Daniel
Producer Larry Weinstein
Associate Producer Austin Wong
Original Music Alexina Louie
Original Music Alex Pauk
Cinematography Horst Zeidler
Film Editing David New
Cast
George Brady
Laura Brady
Fumiko Ishioka
Downloads
Synopsis
The delivery of a battered suitcase to Fumiko Ishioka at the Tokyo Holocaust Museum begins the true-life mystery that became the subject of Karen Levineʼs best-selling book Hanaʼs Suitcase. The suitcase came from the Auschwitz Museum and had Hana Bradyʼs name painted on it. Larry Weinsteinʼs masterful film follows Fumikoʼs search to discover the details of Hanaʼs life, which leads to the discovery of her brother George in Toronto. As small children they had been sent to Thereisenstadt for being Jewish after the Nazis invaded Czechoslovakia in 1939. A superb musical score by Alexina Louie and Alex Pauk, coupled with dramatic reenactments stunningly shot by Horst Zeidler, catches us by the heart to invoke the tragedy of the times. The voices of children from Japan, Canada, and the Czech Republic telling Hanaʼs story are woven around the drama, along with Georgeʼs memories and Fumikoʼs quest, to create a film of astonishing power and hope.
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Celebrate the Holidays with Menemsha Films on DVD!
Menemsha is proud to announce our latest DVD releases, available to buy online at MenemshaFilms.com or in stores. These three films make perfect gifts for any cinephiles on your list, or to add to your personal collection!
Nora's Will - The award-winning, critically acclaimed Mexican comedy is available now!
A Matter of Size - Audiences love this acclaimed Israeli comedy - available now!
Inside Hana's Suitcase - This heart-warming true story brought to life - available now!
Browse our film library and store using the links above for many more wonderful films available to own from Menemsha!
A Personal Letter from George Brady of "Inside Hana's Suitcase"
We invite you to read a personal letter to Boston audiences from George Brady, Hana Brady's brother and protagonist of the acclaimed documentary Inside Hana's Suitcase. The film is now playing at the West Newton Cinema in West Newton, MA.
It has been 67 years since I last saw my beloved sister Hana alive. I think about Hana every day and the life she may have lived had she survived the war.
Hana’s life was cut short at too early of an age but knowing that my sister still managed miraculously to teach millions of children about acceptance and compassion for others is an unbelievable gift that I cherish dearly.
I survived the Holocaust for many reasons. One of the biggest is due to my friend Eda Krasa, a long-time Boston resident, who saved my life repeatedly on the Death March.
Some three weeks ago, I had the remarkable experience to be present at the West Newton Cinema all weekend long to share the story of my sister’s fate with such an empathetic and engaged audience.
We encourage all of our friends in Boston to continue to come to the West Newton Cinema to see our film “Inside Hana’s Suitcase”. My many thanks in advance to all of you.
George Brady
November 30th, 2011
"Inside Hana's Suitcase" - Now Playing in Boston, MA
US Theatrical Premiere!
From acclaimed filmmaker Larry Weinstein, Inside Hana's Suitcase is based upon the award winning, best selling, much beloved and widely read children's book Hana's Suitcase, by Karen Levine. The film makes its US premiere Friday, November 11th at the West Newton Cinema, in West Newton, MA.
Boston critics are already raving about this stunning documentary. Loren King of The Boston Globe says Inside Hana's Suitcase is "Remarkable... what makes (the film) so powerful is the most traditional technique of all: authentic and eloquent storytelling by memorable characters." The Boston Phoenix gives the film 3.5 stars (out of 4), calling it "Stirring... eloquently realized", and The Jewish Advocate says it's "Poignant... A Triumph. Can restore your faith in humanity." The Advocate also ran a feature article on the story behind the film, including its special Boston connection!
Click the link below to learn more about Inside Hana's Suitcase.
Reviews
The Jewish Journal Boston-North
"The miraculous and surprisingly upbeat story is beautifully documented in Larry Weinstein’s emotional film, “Inside Hana’s Suitcase.” Like the 2004 documentary “Paper Clips,” “Inside Hana’s Suitcase” is specifically formatted to bring history alive to a new generation."
Read more Read The Spirit
"Hanukkah, coming later this month, is a celebration of the endurance of the Jewish hope for religious freedom—and so is this stirring film: Inside Hana’s Suitcase. What makes Hana Brady’s story so remarkable in its reach is that this true story circles the globe: Hana’s life story—nearly extinguished in the gas and flames of Auschwitz—winds up connecting children at a Holocaust educational center in Japan with the lives of the Brady family, who were devastated in the Shoah and later scattered to North America. "
Read more The Boston Globe
"Remarkable. In the end, what makes “Inside Hana’s Suitcase’’ so powerful is the most traditional technique of all: authentic and eloquent storytelling by memorable characters."
Read more
