"The Children of Chabannes"
When all around them turned to hate, the people of one small village turned to their hearts.
Overview
Genre
History, Human Rights, Religion, and Social Issues
Synopsis
A magical World War II tale of resilience and love, THE CHILDREN OF CHABANNES reveals the untold story of how the people in a tiny village in unoccupied France chose action over indifference to save the lives of 400 Jewish refugee children. Returning to the forgotten corner of France with her father and uncle (two of the saved children), filmmaker Lisa Gossels and co-director Dean Wetherell movingly recreate the joys and fears of daily life in Chabannes during the war. Through warm and wonderful accounts from the educators, townspeople and from the children themselves, we see how this oasis of hope is shattered in August of 1942, when the war reaches the doorsteps of the crumbling chateau where the children lived.
THE CHILDREN OF CHABANNES delivers a profound message of tolerance. The film documents the remarkable efforts made by the citizens of Chabannes, who risked their lives and livelihoods to protect these children, simply because they felt it was the right thing to do.
Stage
finished
Running time
92 or 59 minutes
Credits
Lisa Gossels
... Director, Producer, Editor
Production Details
Prod. Co.
Perennial Pictures, Inc. (now Good Egg Productions) and Weth
Country
United States
Production years
1996 to 1999
Locations
France, U.S.
Distribution Details
Release year
1999
Festivals
Full Frame Doc FF, Human Rights Watch, Nantucket, Palm Beach, Seattle Intn'l, Mill Valley, Montreal Fest W Cin, Hot Springs Doc FF, Denver FF, Philadelphia, Ft. Lauderdale, Santa Barbara, DocAviv, Cleveland Int'l, Bermuda FF, St. Louis Intnl FF and more
Awards
Emmy Award (2001) and 10 film festival awards, including Nantucket (audience award), Spec Jury Prize, Avignon, Best Doc, Ft. Lauderdale, Human Rights Award, River Run FF, Films From Commitment, Wine Country FF and more
Distribution
Now distributed by New Video/Docurama
Broadcast (Acq.)
HBO Signature, American Public Broadcasting
Language
English, French
Subtitles
English, French
Overview
Genre
History, Human Rights, Religion, and Social IssuesSynopsis
A magical World War II tale of resilience and love, THE CHILDREN OF CHABANNES reveals the untold story of how the people in a tiny village in unoccupied France chose action over indifference to save the lives of 400 Jewish refugee children. Returning to the forgotten corner of France with her father and uncle (two of the saved children), filmmaker Lisa Gossels and co-director Dean Wetherell movingly recreate the joys and fears of daily life in Chabannes during the war. Through warm and wonderful accounts from the educators, townspeople and from the children themselves, we see how this oasis of hope is shattered in August of 1942, when the war reaches the doorsteps of the crumbling chateau where the children lived.
THE CHILDREN OF CHABANNES delivers a profound message of tolerance. The film documents the remarkable efforts made by the citizens of Chabannes, who risked their lives and livelihoods to protect these children, simply because they felt it was the right thing to do.