WITSIE WITH THE EDGE

GABRIELLA BLUMBERG [BA FT 2017]

Producer of "I Am Here": Best South African Documentary at Durban International Film Festival, 2021; Audience Choice at the Durban International Film Festival, 2021; Audience Choice at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival 2021

"I Am Here" is a moving documentary, which tells the story of Ella Blumenthal, a Holocaust survivor, who turned 100 in July this year. The film’s producer, Gabriella Blumberg (BA FT 2017) says the idea for the film came about when director, Jordy Sank, shared a Friday night Sabbath dinner at a friend’s house as a teenager.

“Completely unannounced an elderly woman energetically stood up and started speaking. The whole table went silent as they listened to her recount haunting tales of her survival during the Holocaust. Then something peculiar happened. Her attitude completely changed and she was dancing, singing and joking around. She lit up the room.”

Blumberg says she was approached by Sank in 2019 because they knew “Ella’s story needed to be shared with the world, and most importantly it is her positive personality, despite all odds that we can all learn from.”

I AM Here is a touching portrait of Ella Blumenthal.

The film is described as the highlight of the Durban Film Festival, and its Audience Choice Award qualifies it for an Oscar consideration.

"I Am Here" innovatively weaves Ella’s story with an animation technique, instead of stock images from World War II.

“We wanted this film to share Ella’s story in a new and dynamic way. Animation allows the audience to walk alongside Ella in both her lowest moments and her highest points of inspiration,” explains Blumberg.

“It has been able to break out of the canon of historical Holocaust documentary. Ella becomes the master of her own memories highlighting her boundless energy, unlimited zest for life and her message of love of all humanity.

“‘Never again’ is a phrase used all too often. Yet we see xenophobia, racism, anti-semitism and othering happening on a daily basis. This has to change. Our aim is that audiences can connect with Ella through her story and that this will be the catalyst for conversation about the dangers of othering.”

After Wits, Blumberg obtained her master’s in directing at the MET Film School in London. Her short film “I, Coolie” (2018) won best student film at the San Francisco Black Film Festival and won the judge’s choice at the Best Global Shorts Festival. "I Am Here" is her first feature documentary.

Blumberg has always been passionate about filmmaking that has impact, something she attributes to her Wits education: “The Wits film department makes one interrogate one’s role and responsibility as a filmmaker. I have always been interested in sharing stories that have impact in people’s lives. Wits gave me the tools to bring this to life. I truly found that I had a solid base of critical thinking and a strong theoretical background from Wits. This gave me the confidence to master the more technical skills that I learned in my MA.”

Scenes from the war are depicted through animation.