Letters From Drancy
In an era where the heartrending accounts of Holocaust survivors dwindle to mere echoes, we at East City Films are striving to immortalise these crucial narratives for future generations. In partnership with the visionary Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, we proudly introduce "Letters from Drancy", an emblem of our quest to innovate through Virtual Reality.
This isn't simply a VR film; it's a passionate pledge to keep alive the stories that shaped history. As the museum ardently champions VR to reimagine storytelling, we echo that spirit, crafting tales that don't just recount history but envelop the audience in it.
Marion Deichmann: More Than Just a Survivor
Central to our narrative is the formidable Marion Deichmann, a Holocaust survivor whose story traces a harrowing journey through Nazi-occupied Paris. Far from being just another retelling, our film endeavours to provide audiences with an intimate understanding of her lived experiences and trials.
A New Lens on History
Under the adept direction of our Co-Founder and Creative Director, Darren Emerson, "Letters from Drancy" transcends being a mere chronicle. Darren's unique blend of technological savvy and profound respect for history transforms Marion's tale from simple recounting to a deeply immersive journey.
Marrying Art with Tech
Our innovative approach to storytelling wouldn't be possible without Darren’s vision and our partnership with long-term collaborators All Seeing Eye, Transmission TX, and the technical and creative mastery of Conan Roberts and Oliver Kadel. Their invaluable input has provided a seamless VR experience that promises to leave an indelible mark on the viewer.
Bridging Borders: The UK-France Alliance
This cinematic venture has been an exemplar of international collaboration. While our bases in London, Brighton and Bristol in the UK provided the bedrock, our narrative's soul was sculpted in France. The contributions of Andrew Brooke and his dedicated team enriched our story with a depth that can only be borne out of passion for the subject and local knowledge.
We remain deeply indebted to the Memorial de la Shoah and the wonderful community of St Hilaire. Their unwavering commitment to historical authenticity and collaborative spirit has embedded our film with a layer of depth and credibility.
“For excellence in mixing showing and telling aspects of spatial storytelling, I was moved the most by this piece. Lots of interesting mixtures of styles and forms ground in 360 video, but adding in layers of projection mapping techniques, animation all to have a great balance between showing and telling this story that really sticks the landing in the end.”
In Gratitude
At the core of "Letters from Drancy" is Marion Deichmann, whose valour in revisiting traumatic memories lends the film its soul. We'd also be remiss not to acknowledge the unyielding support from Kelley Szany, and CEO Bernard Cherkasov from the Illinois Holocaust Museum. Their trust and invaluable insights have been the driving forces behind this project.
Spotlight on Venice
It's with excitement and no small measure of pride that we look ahead to the world premiere of "Letters from Drancy" at the esteemed Venice International Film Festival. As we gear up for its subsequent showcase at the Illinois Holocaust Museum in October, we are filled with hope for its reception and impact on the global community.
The Future through VR Lenses
"Letters from Drancy" is but a step in our larger journey at East City Films. With an unwavering commitment to pioneering narratives through VR, we're on an exciting path, exploring tales that resonate on a global scale, ensuring that these stories are not just told, but felt.
The Literary Cornerstone: Marion's Memoir
Inspiration takes many forms, and for 'Letters from Drancy,' it found its soul in Marion's poignant memoir, 'Her Name Shall Remain Unforgotten: A Child in the Heart of the Genocide.' This deeply affecting account serves as both an historical archive and an emotional touchstone for our film. For those who wish to delve further into Marion's extraordinary life and the profound lessons it holds, the memoir is available for purchase on Amazon. It's more than a book; it's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & EDUCATION CENTER PRESENT
AN EAST CITY FILMS PRODUCTION
LETTERS FROM DRANCY
DIRECTED BY DARREN EMERSON | PRODUCED BY MICAELA BLITZ | EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS EAST CITY FILMS - ASHLEY COWAN & DARREN EMERSON | EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & EDUCATION CENTER - KELLEY SZANY, ARIELLE WEININGER, AMANDA FRIEDEMAN & LEAH RAUCH | LEAD SPONSORS - DR. JOY & JOHN MILLER | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY - JON BOYCE ANDREW YARDLEY | POST-PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR - CONAN ROBERTS | 360 ANIMATION LEAD MARCO SANDEMAN | SOUND DESIGN -1.618 DIGITAL | VR PRODUCTION PARTNER - ALL SEEING EYE |
WITH THANKS MARION DEICHMANN
Screenings at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center are available from October
SCREENINGS
Upcoming Screenings
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center | From 1 January 2024 | Chicago, Illinois, USA
Past Screenings
Venice International Film Festival | 30 August - 9 September 2023 | Venice, Italy | World Premiere
London Film Festival | 6 October - 22 October 2023 | London, UK | UK Premiere
South By South West | 9 -12 March 2024 | Austin, Texas, USA
PRESS
Variety, 20 July 2023
ABC 7 Chicago, 8 August 2023
Voice of VR, 26 September 2023
XR Must, 28 September 2023
Jewish News, 4 October 2023
The Guardian, 7 October 2023
The Spectator, 14 October 2023 (paywall)
Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2023 (paywall)
New City, 1 August 2023
The Southland Journal, 12 July 2023
The Algemeiner, 26 July 2023
XR Must, 20 July 2023
British Cinematographer, 20 July 2023
Screen Daily, 20 July 2023
BEHIND THE SCENES
STILLS
