Verdoners skating at ice rink and sledding
Creator(s)
- Otto Verdoner
- Gerrit Verdoner (Camera Operator)
- Francisca Verdoner Kan
- Yoka 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
Hilde Verdoner and others ice skating on a frozen track/rink in their hometown of Hilversum, Holland. VS, LS, MS, CU of Hilde and a young man. VS, LS, people skating around the outdoor rink. Some of the faces are familiar from earlier footage of the Verdoner family, two young men in particular, but they are not identified by name. VS, Hilde skating slowly and slightly unsteadily toward the camera, she sits on a bench to take a rest. LS, of trees, hillside and Yoka sledding down the slope on her belly. Hilde and Francisca sled down the hill together. VS, Yoka, Francisca and Hilde playing in the snow. Yoka goes down the hill on the back of her father Gerrit Verdoner.
Subjects
- SPORTS/GAMES
- WINTER
- CHILDREN
- SNOW
- JEWISH LIFE (PRE-WAR)
- NETHERLANDS
- WOMEN
- CHILDREN (JEWISH)
- FAMILIES
Places
- Hilversum, Netherlands
Genre
- Amateur.
- Film