My Grandparent's War Season 1 Episode 1 Helena Bonham Carter
- TV-PG
- April 4, 2021
- 48 min
In the first episode of My Grandparents' War season 1, viewers follow actor Helena Bonham Carter as she uncovers the wartime experience of her maternal grandfather, Eduardo Propper de Callejón. Propper de Callejón was a Spanish diplomat who was stationed in France during World War II. When Germany invaded France in 1940, Propper de Callejón defied Spanish neutrality laws and issued visas to over 5,000 Jews, saving them from concentration camps.
Bonham Carter travels to Paris and Madrid to learn more about her grandfather's actions and their impact on the families he helped save. She speaks with historians, descendants of those who received visas from Propper de Callejón, and even meets with the son of one of the Spanish bureaucrats who helped her grandfather in his efforts.
Through emotional interviews and powerful historical footage, Bonham Carter pieces together her grandfather's story and the incredible bravery and moral fortitude he demonstrated during this tumultuous time in history. She also reflects on the personal impact of her grandfather's legacy and how it has affected her own life and career.
Overall, the episode provides a moving and thoughtful exploration of a little-known hero of the Holocaust and the profound impact he had on the world. It is a testament to the power of family history and the importance of remembering those who have made a difference, even in the darkest of times.