Paper Clips

Paper Clips, a compelling documentary film released in 2004, is an affecting portrayal of an educational project undertaken by a rural middle school in the small town of Whitwell, Tennessee. The acclaimed film is directed by Elliot Berlin and Joe Fab, featuring such notable personalities in the cast as Sandra Roberts, Dagmar Schroeder-Hildebrand and Tom Bosley.

Set in a town whose population mainly comprises of white Protestants, the documentary captivates the audience with a unique initiative taken by the school to teach their students about diversity, tolerance, and acceptance, concepts relatively alien to their otherwise insulated community. The film effectively sheds light on a vital part of history that the students chose to explore, aiming to understand the horrors of the Holocaust and the immense loss of lives in World War II.

Roberts, principal of the school, is set on the mission of teaching students lessons beyond the regular academic curriculum. She wants the young minds to understand the importance and strength of diversity, the need to respect it, and the dire consequences of intolerance. On her recommendation, the school embarks on an extraordinary project of collecting a paperclip for every life lost during the Holocaust. The concept behind using the paperclip is the non-violent protests by Norwegians during the Holocaust, who wore paperclips as a silent, symbolic resistance against Nazi forces.

Schroeder-Hildebrand, a German journalist based in Washington, brought the significance of the paperclip as a symbol to the school's attention. Her involvement adds another layer to this meaningful project. On the other hand, Tom Bosley, a celebrated actor, beautifully narrated the progression of the Paper Clip Project, making the documentary even more moving and engaging.

Paper Clips does not follow a usual, linear docudrama style. The film powerfully combines interviews, archival footage, and imagery to make the story deeply personal and emotional. As we navigate through the journey of these students collecting paperclips, we also get to observe their evolution. They are transformed from naive learners, unaware of the significance of the Holocaust, to empathetic individuals respecting diverse cultures and understanding the depth of human sufferings.

The story also mirrors the changes in the town itself. Whitwell, a place with only a handful of non-white residents and virtually no Jewish community, collectively embraces the paperclip project and the global attention it garners. The initiative transcends the boundaries of the school, becoming a town-wide effort. The entire community, in embracing this project, starkly recreates their world views, thus showcasing a powerful narrative of change.

The filmmakers have intricately captured several global responses, which turns out to be a surprising element in the movie. The paperclip project did not just remain confined to the school or the town; it developed a wider reach, engaging people and schools from around the world. The responses are heart-wrenching and filled with tales of personal loss, survival, and grief, lending an incredible perspective to this compelling story.

While it started as a simple project to grasp the magnitude of the lives lost during the Holocaust, the initiative evolved into a worldwide phenomenon. The film pays homage to diversity and tolerance, with a lasting impact that is likely to last in the hearts of its viewers long after the credits roll.

Paper Clips offers viewers a remarkable tale of education beyond textbooks, the journey of a town and its students towards understanding diversity, and the need for tolerance in our global society. It stands as a testament to the tenacity of young minds, giving a meaningful perspective on learning about history's harms. In the face of increasing intolerance around the world, the Paper Clips project and its story resound a powerful message of unity, understanding, and acceptance.

Above all, Paper Clips is a poignant reminder that we often underestimate the capacity of young minds to grasp the complexities of our world history. It puts forth the idea that conscious teaching can foster empathy and understanding even in the most unlikely places, proving that it is never-too-early to educate about the horrors of intolerance.