There have been so many documentaries made about the Holocaust that it would be a fair assumption to make that there’s very little new ground to cover. However, the lowest point in human existence must never be forgotten or downplayed. Each generation has a duty to ensure nothing like it ever happens again. Whilst most filmmakers either focus on the ‘heroes’ or villains, the most powerful perspective is usually that of the survivors. Claire Ferguson’s Destination Unknown tells their stories.
Using intimate testimonies from twelve Holocaust survivors, intertwined with archive footage, Destination Unknown paints a picture of life during and after World War II. Whilst there’s a plethora of archive material out there, it’s used sparingly and always to illustrate a point. The pictures relating to the interviewees themselves are especially moving. Whether they were interned in a camp, fought for the Partisans or had been in hiding, their unique perspectives are eye-opening.
Destination Unknown is an incredibly powerful documentary which really brings home the suffering and sacrifices of Holocaust survivors. Even though seventy years has passed, most still carry their scars around with them. It’s difficult to imagine what it would have been like to live through that period. Thankfully, most of us will never have to suffer like they have. However, it’s a timely reminded that we can never let it happen again or forget their voices.
Destination Unknown is out in cinemas from Friday.
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