ARNHEM FOR EVER – A PILGRIMAGE –
Premiere of a documentary about bravado, powerlessness and eternal friendship
September 1944. Liberation seems just a stone's throw away. As many as 12,000 Allies will 'take the back door' to Germany via the bridge at Arnhem and liberate Europe from the occupying forces. It will be over within 48 hours. But things go wrong. Instead of liberation, it becomes the last battle won by the Germans.
What makes it so that every year in September, now 75 years later, veterans, their families and many Arnhem residents come together to commemorate 'a lost battle' with dedication? WHEN The documentary was shown on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at 7:15 PM on NTR on NPO 2. The documentary can be viewed online since September 2 via Uitzending Gemist (from Omroep Gelderland) or below via YouTube. When
The documentary was shown on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at 7:15 PM on NTR on NPO 2. The documentary can be viewed online since September 2 via Uitzending Gemist (from Omroep Gelderland) or below via YouTube.
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In 2017, Bridge to Liberation and Omroep Gelderland asked documentary maker Sandra Parry to make a documentary about life after the Battle of Arnhem; about the annual pilgrimage. For example, that of the English veteran Wilf Oldham (1920) is still dominated by the ten days he spent in Arnhem in 1944. His whole house 'breathes' Arnhem and he looks forward to the commemoration all year round. He has been lovingly received by Peter and Maria in Renkum for more than 35 years. Wilf is no longer just a veteran for them, Maria now calls him 'her second father'.
Veteran John Jeffries (1922), as a young paratrooper, tried in vain to liberate Arnhem and the surrounding area. He is still amazed at the cordiality and gratitude of the Arnhem people, who lost so much in the battle. Despite his old age, he makes the parachute jump again as a tribute to his fallen comrades.
The commemoration also appears to be cathartic for younger generations of those involved. For example, Sara Lock lost her father in battle at a young age. Her annual trip to his grave brings her closer to him again. In the film, she donates his letters to a museum to keep history alive through eyewitness accounts.
Bridge to Liberation has set itself the goal of reflecting on the impact of the Battle of Arnhem in a new way, with a broad audience. Learning from this and translating lessons to now and the future increases the relevance of the impact of war and the value of freedom for generations to come. The release of a documentary about this special cross-generational pilgrimage brings Bridge to Liberation one step closer to achieving this goal.
In 2017, Bridge to Liberation and Omroep Gelderland asked documentary maker Sandra Parry to make a documentary about life after the Battle of Arnhem; about the annual pilgrimage. For example, that of the English veteran Wilf Oldham (1920) is still dominated by the ten days he spent in Arnhem in 1944. His whole house 'breathes' Arnhem and he looks forward to the commemoration all year round. He has been lovingly received by Peter and Maria in Renkum for more than 35 years. Wilf is no longer just a veteran for them, Maria now calls him 'her second father'.
Veteran John Jeffries (1922), as a young paratrooper, tried in vain to liberate Arnhem and the surrounding area. He is still amazed at the cordiality and gratitude of the Arnhem people, who lost so much in the battle. Despite his old age, he makes the parachute jump again as a tribute to his fallen comrades.
The commemoration also appears to be cathartic for younger generations of those involved. For example, Sara Lock lost her father in battle at a young age. Her annual trip to his grave brings her closer to him again. In the film, she donates his letters to a museum to keep history alive through eyewitness accounts.
Bridge to Liberation has set itself the goal of reflecting on the impact of the Battle of Arnhem in a new way, with a broad audience. Learning from this and translating lessons to now and the future increases the relevance of the impact of war and the value of freedom for generations to come. The release of a documentary about this special cross-generational pilgrimage brings Bridge to Liberation one step closer to achieving this goal.
