Watch My Knees Were Jumping: Remembering the Kindertransports

My Knees Were Jumping: Remembering the Kindertransports is a poignant documentary that chronicles the journey of Jewish children during World War II. The film was released in 1996 and directed by Melissa Hacker, and features interviews with several survivors of the Holocaust. The documentary begins by exploring the horrific events leading up to the Kindertransports – a rescue effort that took place between 1938 and 1939 that transported almost 10,000 Jewish children from Germany, Austria, and Czechoslovakia to safety in England. The film presents a wide range of historical footage that captures the grim reality of the Holocaust, which is interspersed with interviews with survivors, archival footage, and dramatic re-enactments.

Throughout the documentary, we hear the harrowing stories of those who experienced the Kindertransports firsthand. The story of Sonnie Better, one of the survivors interviewed in the film, is particularly moving. Her testimony details the psychological trauma she and many other children experienced after being separated from their parents, and the sense of isolation and abandonment that followed. Sonnie's brother Eddie also shares his experiences of the Kindertransports, revealing the sense of relief they both felt upon arriving in England, but also the profound sense of guilt and grief that followed.

The documentary also focuses on the challenges that the survivors faced upon arriving in England. Many of the children were placed with foster families, who often had no prior experience of parenting or Jewish culture. The film features interviews with a number of these foster families, who share their own experiences of welcoming Jewish children into their homes and communities.

Perhaps one of the most powerful contributions of My Knees Were Jumping: Remembering the Kindertransports is the nuanced and compassionate portrayal of the children's experiences. The documentary presents a complex portrait of the children caught up in the horrors of war, exploring their sense of loss and dislocation, but also their courage, resilience, and capacity for hope.

For example, Erika Estis, one of the Holocaust survivors interviewed in the film, recounts her journey from Austria to England. She describes how, despite the devastating trauma she experienced, she was able to find a community that welcomed her and provided her with the support she needed to rebuild her life.

Throughout the film, we see the importance of community and resilience to the children on the Kindertransports, and their determination to survive and thrive in the face of unspeakable horror.

My Knees Were Jumping: Remembering the Kindertransports is a moving and powerful documentary that honours the experiences of those who lived through one of the darkest periods in human history. The film is a sobering reminder of the toll of war and the importance of compassion, empathy, and community in the face of adversity.

My Knees Were Jumping: Remembering the Kindertransports is a 1996 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 16 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.