NJ – Tenafly In observance of the International Day of Commemoration for the Victims of the Holocaust, the Order of AHEPA Bergen Knights Chapter #285 presented the New Jersey Premiere of “My People,” a feature documentary by Anna Rezan, on Sunday, January 29.
The Jews of Greece endured the Nazi occupation, but the Greek resistance led by the Orthodox clergy was what saved them. In “My People,” a young woman’s journey to learn about her Greek Jewish family’s past becomes an anthem to love and bravery.
Anna Rezan, Mitchell Block, and Kim Magnusson, all Oscar winners, collaborated on the film’s production, script, and direction. Executive producers Eleni Purgioti, Pantelis Kodogiannis, and Zafeiris Haitidis.
To set the stage for the movie, a 1985 video was played that focused on the contributions of the Order of Ahepa to the Allied victory in WWII.
The publication, titled “The Ripples Will Never Cease,” highlighted Ahepa’s efforts to raise half a billion dollars for the United States War Bond effort, to aid the Greek War Relief Effort, and to deliver five million bushels of wheat to Greece during World War II.
After the screening, there was a reception and a Q&A with Anna. The audience for “My People” was deeply moved by this uplifting untold story, and their response was overwhelmingly positive.
Those in the audience who had experienced tragedy and the needless loss of friends were brought back to life by the film. On the other hand, they and the rest of the audience (of varying ages) found “My People” to be inspiring.
One viewer said the film was “powerful yet delicately handled concerning other Holocaust films” he had seen over the years.
I was honoured to get an invitation from the Bergen Knights of AHEPA to speak about ‘My People.’ While growing up in Athens, I was constantly exposed to stories about their excellent contributions to the city and the country.
They are the genuine Philhellenes, living proof that cooperation can lead to success. My first film as a director has a powerful message: the power of togetherness and the good it can do in the world.
I am humbled that AHEPA’s mission coincides with my own, and I am appreciative of this opening that will allow for further collaboration in the future. Anna remarked.
