The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life

The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life is a heartwarming documentary film that narrates the inspiring story of the world's oldest pianist and a Holocaust survivor, Aliza Sommer-Herz. Directed by Malcolm Clarke, the movie was released in 2013 and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject) the same year.

The movie follows Aliza Sommer-Herz, who talks about her life experiences and how music has helped her overcome the darkest moments in her life. Aliza, born in Prague in 1903, grew up in a family that valued music and culture. Her mother was an opera singer, and her father, a businessman, was also passionate about music. Aliza inherited their love for music and started playing the piano at the age of three.

However, Aliza's world turned upside down when the Nazis invaded Czechoslovakia in 1939. Aliza, along with her husband and their son, was sent to a concentration camp in Theresienstadt. Despite the atrocities, Aliza's talent as a musician saved her life. She became a part of the camp's orchestra and used music as a coping mechanism to survive the unbearable conditions in the camp.

Throughout the movie, Aliza talks about the power of music in keeping her spirits alive even in the darkest moments. She recounts how she and her fellow prisoners would secretly sing and play music in the camp, providing hope and solace to each other. Aliza, who was released from the concentration camp in 1945, considers music to be her savior and says that it brought her back to life.

The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life also showcases the life of Aliza as an accomplished musician. After the liberation, she returned to Prague and continued to play the piano. She became a music teacher and taught several children. Aliza moved to Israel in 1949 and continued to play the piano until her last days.

The film is interspersed with photographs and old videos of Aliza, providing a glimpse into her fascinating life. The movie is also a tribute to her resilience and optimistic outlook towards life. Aliza, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 110, lived a fulfilling life and was an inspiration to many.

Apart from Aliza's story, The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life also features interviews with her friends and family. One of them is Zdenka Fantlova, another Holocaust survivor, who talks about the importance of music in providing hope in the midst of despair. Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, a cellist and a Holocaust survivor, is also interviewed in the movie. She talks about how music helped her survive the concentration camp and how it continues to be a source of healing for her.

The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life is a powerful and poignant movie that celebrates the human spirit and the healing power of music. The movie is a reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust and the resilience of those who survived it. It is also a tribute to Aliza Sommer-Herz, who lived her life to the fullest, even in the face of unimaginable adversity.