Letters From Drancy
As the accounts of Holocaust survivors grow fewer, we at East City Films are dedicated to preserving these important stories for future generations. In partnership with the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, we are proud to present Letters from Drancy, a groundbreaking project that uses Virtual Reality to bring history to life.
This is more than just a VR film—it’s a commitment to ensuring these stories continue to resonate. By embracing VR as a tool for storytelling, we aim to create experiences that go beyond recounting history and instead immerse audiences in it.
Letters from Drancy has received critical acclaim, winning Best VR Experience at B3, the Social Impact Award at the XR Awards 2024 (as part of The Journey Back alongside Escape to Shanghai and Walk to Westerbork), and the International Sound Award 2024.
Director Darren Emerson with Holocaust survivor Marion Deichmann.
At the heart of this project is Marion Deichmann, a Holocaust survivor whose remarkable story unfolds in Nazi-occupied Paris. Letters from Drancy offers a deeply personal and immersive look at her journey, shedding light on the resilience, fear, and hope that defined her experience. Through her memories and letters, the film brings her lived experiences to the forefront, offering a poignant reflection on survival and the enduring impact of history.
Under the direction of Darren Emerson, Letters from Drancy transforms Marion’s story into a powerful, immersive experience. Darren’s expertise in combining technology with storytelling has been instrumental in making this project more than just a retelling of history.
This work has been made possible thanks to our trusted collaborators, including All Seeing Eye, Transmission TX, and the technical skills of Conan Roberts and Oliver Kadel. Their contributions have helped create a seamless and impactful VR experience.
"Letters from Drancy is a profoundly moving VR experience that brings an essential Holocaust story to life, ensuring it will not be forgotten."
- The Guardian
The project has been a true international effort. While our teams in London, Brighton, and Bristol provided the foundation, the story’s roots are firmly planted in France. Andrew Brooke and his team brought local knowledge and passion, enriching the narrative with authenticity and depth.
We are deeply grateful to the Memorial de la Shoah and the community of St Hilaire for their commitment to preserving history and their support throughout this journey. Their contributions have added layers of authenticity and meaning to the film.
Marion Deichmann’s courage in sharing her story is the soul of Letters from Drancy. We are also incredibly thankful for the guidance and support of Kelley Szany and Bernard Cherkasov from the Illinois Holocaust Museum, whose insights have been invaluable to this project.
We were honoured to debut Letters from Drancy at the Venice International Film Festival in 2023, marking the beginning of an incredible festival run. Since then, it has been showcased at SXSW 2024, the Luxembourg City Film Festival, B3 Festival of the Moving Image, London Film Festival 2023, Sunny Side of the Doc 2024, Anidox:VR 2024, and New Images 2024. The experience has also been on permanent display at the Illinois Holocaust Museum since October 2023, continuing to engage and educate audiences.
Along the way, Letters from Drancy has received critical acclaim, winning Best VR Experience at B3, the Social Impact Award at the XR Awards 2024 (as part of The Journey Back alongside Escape to Shanghai and Walk to Westerbork), and the International Sound Award 2024. We are incredibly proud of the impact it has had so far and look forward to continuing its journey with audiences worldwide.
Letters from Drancy is part of our larger mission at East City Films to push the boundaries of storytelling through VR. We are committed to sharing stories that not only inform but deeply move audiences.
This film is inspired by Marion’s memoir, Her Name Shall Remain Unforgotten: A Child in the Heart of the Genocide. Her book is both a historical record and a moving testament to resilience. For those interested in learning more about Marion’s life, her memoir is available on Amazon.
Press
Behind The Scenes
