Saul & Ruby's Holocaust Survivor Band

Saul & Ruby's Holocaust Survivor Band is a heartwarming feature documentary that was released in 2020. Directed by Tod Lending, and having its World Premiere at the Miami Jewish Film Festival, this film blends personal experience, history, art, and the indomitable spirit of its protagonists to create an unforgettable and uplifting cinematic spectacle.

The film’s heroes are Saul Dreier and Ruby Sosnowicz, two Holocaust Survivors with an indomitable will to live and create. Although they hail from different parts of the world and endured their own unique and harrowing experiences during the Holocaust, they both share an innate love for music. Saul, originally from Krakow, Poland, survived three concentration camps, while Ruby, from Warsaw, escaped the Warsaw Ghetto and spent the war hiding.

In the wake of unimaginable suffering, they both migrated to America and discovered music as a means to heal. Saul became a drummer who played alongside famous musicians, whereas Ruby used his accordion to capture the heart and soul of the melodies he created. Despite the years passing by and both men moving into their twilight years, Saul and Ruby remain passionate musicians.

The essence of this movie paints a vivid picture of their incredible journey. It main storyline begins in South Florida, where Saul and Ruby, yearning for human connection and a sense of purpose, decide to form a band aptly named "Saul & Ruby's Holocaust Survivor Band". The aim of this band is multifold - to honor the memory of those that were lost during the Holocaust, to foster a sense of community and connection among the survivors, and to heal and uplift spirits through the power of music.

"Saul & Ruby's Holocaust Survivor Band" is not just a band. It's an artifact of history, a political statement, and an ode to life. This band, formed by two elderly men, addresses the horrors they lived through not with a mournful tone, but with the lively notes of Klezmer, a genre of music peculiar to the Jews of Eastern Europe. In doing this, they not only pay tribute to their lost loved ones, but also reaffirm their joy for life, a vital part of their resistance.

The film explores their journey as they take their music, with its delicate mix of joy and sorrow, on a touching tour across the United States and Canada. During their performances, audiences are treated not only to enthralling music but also to reflective commentary from both Saul and Ruby as they share anecdotal vignettes of their past, as well as their thoughts on the contemporary world. Their uniquely poignant performances strike chords with audiences everywhere they go, bearing a powerful testament to survival, resilience, and the enduring human spirit.

Director Tod Lending masterfully manages to capture the duo’s musical triumphs as well as their warm, emotional interactions with audience members. His intimate, soft-spoken approach to documenting their journey provides an unflinching look at their will to live and the power of music to heal.

Lending captures the raw emotion and the universal human desire to connect, and he does this seamlessly without losing sight of the underlying issue: the importance of remembering and honoring the memories of those who suffered in the Holocaust. The film lays onus on the essence of remembrance and its role in ensuring such inhuman atrocities are never repeated.

One compelling aspect of the film is how it straddles the line between joy and tragedy so artfully. The story of Saul and Ruby is marked by instances of incredible pain and loss, but instead of wallowing in despair, both musicians instead choose to exude radiant positivity. Their jovial demeanors, coupled with their unfailing energy and cheeky humor, infuse the film with a unique sense of optimism.

"Saul & Ruby's Holocaust Survivor Band" is a film that celebrates resilience, survival, human connection, and the transformative power of music, even in the face of unimaginable adversity. It stands as a beautiful example of how art, in the form of music, can help people heal and connect across generations and cultures. Watch as Saul and Ruby show us how music doesn't just help us remember; it helps us live. This movie will undoubtedly touch your heart, leaving you simultaneously impressed, enriched, and inspired.