Postwar: Verdoner family at the beach
Creator(s)
- Gerrit Verdoner (Camera Operator)
- Otto Verdoner
- 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
"Zandvoort 1946. Joke ping pong. Kinderen bad, strand" EXT, Yoka Verdoner playing table tennis. Francisca Verdoner walking among cabanas at the beach in Zandvoort, near Haarlem, the Verdoner family's summer vacation spot. This footage was shot post war. The Verdoner children were hidden children. Their mother Hilde was deported to Auschwitz where she perished. CU of the children at the beach. Yoka and Otto are present as are other children, young adults and adults. They play together in the sand. VS of the children tumbling and doing head stands on the beach. "Zomer 1946. Padedestoelen" MCUs the children swimming in the ocean along with the adults. MCU, Yoka eating grapes at the beach, sharing them with the other children. Yoka blowing bubbles. Francisca doing gymnastics.
Subjects
- PLAYING
- BEACHES
- NETHERLANDS
- CHILDREN (JEWISH)
- POSTWAR
- FAMILIES
- EATING
- WOMEN
- VACATIONS
- CHILDREN
Places
- Hilversum, Netherlands
- Zandvoort, Netherlands
Genre
- Amateur.
- Film