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Deep Dive: Saved by Language (2015)

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Saved by Language
Saved by Language tells the story of Moris Albahari, a Sephardic Jew born in Sarajevo in 1930, who used his knowledge of Ladino, an ancient language, to survive the Holocaust. The film recounts how Moris communicated with an Italian Colonel to escape from a train destined for Nazi death camps and find refuge with Partizans. His ability to speak Ladino proved crucial in navigating life-threatening situations during World War II. The documentary illustrates the significance of language in Moris's survival. In 1944, he spoke Ladino to a Spanish-speaking US pilot, which allowed him to lead the pilot and his American and British colleagues to safety at a Partizan airport. This narrative emphasizes the role of language as a tool for communication and survival in dire circumstances.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Moris Albahari, a Holocaust survivor.
  • •Find out how language saved lives during WWII.
  • •See the role of Ladino in Moris's escape.

Did You Know

•Moris Albahari was born in 1930 in Sarajevo.
•He spoke Ladino to escape a train headed for Nazi death camps.
•In 1944, he communicated in Ladino with a Spanish-speaking US pilot.
•The film has a duration of 53 minutes.

Perfect For

Jewish history enthusiastsWorld War II scholarsLadino language speakers