Film Lens
The Paper Brigade focuses on the events in 1941 Lithuania during World War II, where German occupiers collected hundreds of thousands of texts related to Jewish culture in Vilnius. A group of Jewish scholars and writers faced a moral dilemma as they were tasked with sorting these texts for storage or destruction. Rather than collaborate with the occupiers, they chose to protect their cultural legacy by secretly hiding many invaluable books in the ghetto.
This documentary chronicles the efforts of the Paper Brigade, detailing their commitment to preserving Jewish heritage amidst the oppressive environment of war. It shows the tension between survival and collaboration, as well as the importance of cultural preservation during times of crisis.
Why Watch
- •Meet the Jewish scholars of the Paper Brigade
- •See how books were hidden from German occupiers
- •Find out about Jewish culture in wartime Lithuania
Did You Know
•In 1941, German occupiers gathered hundreds of thousands of texts in Vilnius.
•The Paper Brigade members were Jewish scholars and writers.
•Many invaluable books were hidden in the ghetto by the Paper Brigade.
Perfect For
Jewish history enthusiastsWorld War II scholarsCultural preservation advocates