Alice Sommer Herz [DVD] [2010]

I have to admit that I watched the film "Alice Sommer Herz: Everything Is A Present" a little over a month ago. I haven't been able to bring myself to write anything about it until now. I didn't know much about her other than the fact that she was a very well respected and highly regarded pianist. I would come to know that she was a survivor of the Theresienstadt concentration camp where she lost her entire family other than her young son and her sister.

This remarkable woman lived to the wonderful age of 106. She would say that she lived so long not despite the brutality and inhumanity that many evil people had showed her. She would say that she lived so long because of it. The beauty in her life was not only that she had music as her main driving force, but that she chose forgiveness in lieu of vengeance. Peace instead of violence.

In the concentration camp the Nazis took Ms. Herz and a number of other prisoners who were talented musicians and forced them to perform for German dignitaries. Over her years in the concentration camp she performed well over one hundred concerts. Through these performances she was able to find the beauty in the music and transcend above the horrors occurring around her every day. She brought a light of joy to herself, her fellow prisoners and their captors alike.

How she found the capacity to forgive is a very difficult concept to understand. But she remarks in the film that hatred and revenge can only harm your self. They do nothing to the hated. It certainly does make a lot of sense when you take time to think about it. If only the rest of us could see the world through Gigi's eyes for a little while. Maybe we would be in a much better place.

When some of the footage for this film was recorded, Alice Sommer Herz was 98 years of age - and still possessed of her faculties and memories. And she still has the ability to play piano! Alice has had a more than eventful life. She was imprisoned, along with her six-year old son, in the Theresienstadt concentration camp, and gave numerous concerts there. Her recollections are quite vivid, and viewed through the lens of a long life. She has witnessed things no human being should ever see, and talks about being sustained by music and the ability to play.

She seems remarkably free of negativity. She is a very well-balanced optimist. The film definitely communicates the quality of individual that she is. There are several excerpts of her playing the piano, her aged hands caressing the keys and playing music of Smetana and Beethoven -- and it is wonderful to see and hear. And her stories are worthy of being heard. It is difficult to describe how uplifting it is to watch this film.

When I first got this DVD, I must admit I had a slight sense of trepidation, not being exactly sure what state Alice would be in during the film. But it is without a doubt worthy of spending time with. Would that there were more people like Alice to interact with. Get this and share it with close friends. They will thank you for it.

Notwithstanding some obvious propaganda... this video is enchanting and well worth the effort to secure a copy. Be sure to loan it only to trustworthy friends as it may never return otherwise. Recommended!