Willem & Frieda
Channel 4
< Film
Defying the Nazi’s
Synopsis:
Stephen Fry’s personal journey and essay tells the amazing story of how a group of Amsterdam’s artists, musicians and members of the LGBTQ+ community pulled off one of the most daring and far‑reaching acts of sabotage in the history of the Dutch resistance. Willem, a gay artist, and Frieda, a lesbian cellist, forged identity papers for Jews without a “J” on them. When the Nazis began checking false paperwork against real files, they devised a plan to blow up the Central Records Office—without harming anyone. The film premiered Flare Film Festival 2023 was “Official Selection” at 19 festivals and won 13 awards.
Awards —
European Cinematography Awards (ECA) — Best Documentary Cinematography (Mark Lapwood)
Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) NSW/ACT Awards — Silver Award, Documentary
New Zealand Cinematographers Society (NZCS) Awards — Silver Award, Documentary & Factual Series
Austin International Art Festival — Best International Documentary Film
Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival — Best of Show (LGBT)
Where to watch —
“Needs to be seen to be believed.”
Evening Standard
“An important reminder to never forget.”
The Telegraph
“Fry’s loving admiration brings them to life… The whole film put together with such an elegant awareness of line and shape, one expects Willem would have approved.”
The Guardian
“Stunning.”
The Pink News
“Astonishing.”
The Times
“Inspiring, informative, and very moving… essentially a celebration of man’s love for his fellow man.”
Attitude
“Extraordinary documentary.”
The Observer
