Deep Dive: Paper Clips (2004)
Film Lens
Paper Clips is a documentary that follows a middle school class in Whitwell, Tennessee, as they attempt to collect 6 million paper clips to represent the 6 million Jews killed during the Holocaust. The project began in 1998 when three teachers at the school conceived the idea to help students understand the magnitude of the Holocaust. The students ultimately collected over 25 million paper clips, far exceeding their original goal.
The film includes interviews with students, teachers, and Holocaust survivors, who share their experiences and insights with the community. Key moments captured in the documentary include the arrival of Holocaust survivors from New York and the journey of a railcar from Germany to Baltimore and then to Whitwell. The film was officially released in 2004 and was produced by Joe Fab, Ari Pinchot, and others, with a focus on hope and inspiration rather than tragedy.
Why Watch
- •Meet Holocaust survivors sharing their stories.
- •See how a small town took on a big project.
- •Find out about the journey of a railcar from Germany.
Did You Know
•The Paper Clips Project collected over 25 million paper clips.
•The film was first shown in November 2003 in Whitwell.
•The documentary accumulated about 150 hours of footage during production.
•Rachel Pinchot was inspired to create the film after reading an article in The Washington Post.
Perfect For
Holocaust educationCommunity projectsMiddle school teachers