Poignant documentary about war children in the Filmforum Höchst

Poignant documentary about war children in the Filmforum Höchst

Moving reports and emotional memories were the focus of the film screening “Children 1945 – Contemporary Witnesses 2025”, which took place on Thursday in the Filmforum Höchst. Rebekka Waitz's documentary sheds light on the experiences of former war children from the Rhine-Main area. Organized by the Peace Initiative Offenbach and the Association of Those Persecuted by the Nazi Regime, the haunting descriptions of the contemporary witnesses captivated the audience.

The horror of the war years is reflected in the stories of the four protagonists. Ria Becker-Faller, born in December 1937, remembers her childhood in a corner shop and dramatic experiences in the air raid shelter. Annemarie Maurer, 92 years old, describes her fears during the bombing raids in Nuremberg. Bruni Freyeisen, born in 1940, tells how she saw the light of day during a bombing raid on Mainz and about an incident in the air raid shelter. Rudolf Heinemann, 88 years old, reports on the threatening encounter with a phosphorus bomb and his experiences with a lack of food after the war. These reports clearly show how deeply the shadows of the past are embedded in the life stories of these people.

The shadows of childhood

Similar experiences to those of the contemporary witnesses in the film can also be found in other stories by war children. Elfriede had traumatic experiences during the Second World War that she repressed for decades. As a mother and wife, she had to persevere while the dark memories lay dormant inside her. But with age, these traumas resurface, often triggered by everyday experiences that can evoke horrific images. WDR filmed Elfriede and illustrates how relatives and nursing staff in retirement homes are often helpless in the face of retraumatization. The topic is impressively presented in another film.

Dealing with the consequences of war goes far beyond personal stories. It is a social issue that must not be forgotten. Many war children who are now older experience a return of their fears through memories and emotional triggers that arise in everyday life. It becomes clear that such memories cannot end or be completed at a certain point in time. There is a great responsibility on family members and professionals to help these people find peace within themselves.

A valuable documentation

The documentary “Children 1945 – Contemporary Witnesses 2025” not only offers insights into personal fates, but also a space for reflection and the desire for peace. The filmmaker concentrates on providing the interviewees with a space without pushing herself into the foreground. This approach enables honest and touching storytelling. The contemporary witnesses express a clear desire for future generations to learn from the horrors of the past, even if their stories often evoke painful memories. The FNP reports on this touching film screening.

At a time when war and peace are often just abstract concepts, it is more important than ever to listen to these stories. The encounters with contemporary witnesses enable us to come to terms with the past that many of us must not forget. This requires sensitivity and compassion. Only in this way can the desire for lasting peace be anchored in both individual and collective memory.