Ingelore: A Son's Tribute to His Mother

[Shirley Durr]

"Ingelore Herz Honigstein was born in 1924 to Jewish parents in Kuppenheim Germany. She is deaf. As an expression of their embarrassment over their mute child, her parents ignore her and make no attempt at communication. At the age of six she says her first word. At the age of twelve she finally constructs a complete sentence. She enters the first grade at the age of 13 and for the first time comes into contact with other deaf children. Her short lived education is interrupted by Kristalnact when she is thrown out of school and sent home. Ingelore offers a unique perspective on the Holocaust. Through her eyes we see the shifts in her classmates and neighbors attitudes. Her amazing life shapes her into an extraordinary teacher and we learn the power of light over darkness. Ingelore is more than a biography it is a meditation on freedom both physical and emotional."

 

Frank Steifel talks about making this film about his mother.

[Shirley Durr]

Since I teach both Sign Language and Holocaust Literature, this is a film I am strongly considering using next school year. I imagine Social Studies teachers would also find it of interest. I saw it on HBO on Mother's Day which means it will probably repeat. Moreover, I noticed on the website that it has and will play in other venues.