Verdoner family celebrates Easter
Creator(s)
- Francisca Verdoner Kan
- Yoka Verdoner
- Gerrit Verdoner (Camera Operator)
- Otto Verdoner
Biographical History
The Verdoner Family - Gerrit and Hilde Verdoner, their children Yoka (b.1934), Francisca (b.1937) and Otto (b.1939) - were Jewish. In May 1940, when the Germans overran the Netherlands, Nazi decrees aimed specifically at Jews forced Gerrit out of his business and Yoka out of her second grade class. When the Nazis commandeered their home, the Verdoners went to live with Gerrit's parents in Amsterdam. Shortly thereafter, Gerrit and Hilde decided to place the children in hiding. Their foresight enabled the children to survive and save these family films. Hilde entered Westerbork on December 18, 1942, while Gerrit had a job with the Jewish Council. On September 29, 1943, after the collapse of the Jewish Council and Gerrit's narrow escape from the Germans, Gerrit found refuge in a hideout on a farm. On January 8, 1944 Hilde was sent to Auschwitz. After the war, Gerrit managed to reunite with his children and other surviving family members. The Verdoners emigrated to the US in 1946.
Scope and Content
Notes from original film indicate that the Verdoner family is celebrating Easter, April 1939. EXT, MLS, Gerrit and Francisca Verdoner in their garden. VS, MCUs Francisca playing in the yard with a toy baby doll and baby carriage. Her older sister Yoka is also playing in the garden with her. They are searching for Easter eggs among the trees and bushes in their yard. Their grandfather is in the garden playing with them. MCU, grandfather, grandmother and another female relative, pose for the camera, they are playing with eggs in their hands that they are passing to each other. Gerrit Verdoner moves in and out of frame to join the game. MS, another female relative appears in the picture. CU, Yoka with a basket of colored eggs that she shows to the camera, the image of a rabbit is evident on one of the eggs. VS, in the family yard. Children and adults play with the colored eggs. Francisca continues to hunt for more eggs. Yoka plays ball with her father.
Subjects
- NETHERLANDS
- FAMILIES
- CHILDREN
- PLAYING
- WOMEN
- CHILDREN (JEWISH)
- JEWISH LIFE (PRE-WAR)
- HOLIDAYS (EASTER)
Places
- Hilversum, Netherlands
Genre
- Amateur.
- Film