It was two years ago that filmmaker Johan Palmgren was commissioned to film objects such as letters, diaries, photographs and artefacts, which were collected for the new Swedish Holocaust Museum.
Now the objects lay the foundation for a new documentary film about Holocaust survivors.
- The objects lead us into stories about people who have witnessed the most incredible events.
I think it's interesting that these stories are among us all over Sweden, says Johan Palmgren.
Receives a scholarship in memory of the Holocaust
Johan Palmgren has previously made the documentary "Benny and the Culture House" and the short film "Track Gauge Barrier", which portrays private drivers who have their cars destroyed by a traffic barrier that the city of Stockholm set up near the Old Town.
Now he receives this year's scholarship of SEK 350,000 from Micael Bindefeld's foundation in memory of the Holocaust, to complete his ongoing film project.
"The 2023 scholarship is awarded to Johan Palmgren and his film project about the collection of objects connected to the Holocaust.
A napkin, a thimble or a striped jacket.
The memory of the Holocaust is encapsulated in the simplest of things.
With this unique work, Johan Palmgren documents stories that bring to life personal possessions from the Holocaust.
The objects open doors to history.
Johan Palmgren's film perpetuates the depictions for the future," reads the Foundation's justification.
Important to document
Documenting, both objects and stories, is an important way to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive, says Johan Palmgren.
- Objects are dispersed as people move or generations take over, so it is valuable that the museum now collects everything and takes a firm hold of it all.
The documentary is to be completed and televised in the second half of 2023.