Aida's Secrets

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Aida's Secrets

Released Oct 20, 2017

1h 30m

Documentary

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100%

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15 Reviews

79%

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250+ Ratings

In 1945, Izak was born inside the Bergen-Belsen displaced persons camp and sent for adoption in Israel. Secret details of his birth mother, an unknown brother in Canada and his father's true identity slowly emerge in this investigative, biographical film. The plight of displaced persons come to the fore when Izak and Shep -- the almost 70-year-old brothers -- finally meet in Canada, then head to a nursing home in Quebec to introduce Shep to his elderly mother, Aida, for the first time.

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David Lewis

San Francisco Chronicle

The camerawork and editing often leave something to be desired. Most of the time, this doesn't matter, because we are drawn into the mystery.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 14, 2017

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Bill Goodykoontz

Arizona Republic

"Aida's Secrets" starts out as a fairly straightforward documentary about reuniting two long-separated brothers, but directors Alon and Shaul Schwarz don't stop there.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 30, 2017

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Sheri Linden

Los Angeles Times

One family's silences and lies unravel before our eyes in the gripping, intimate "Aida's Secrets."

Oct 26, 2017

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Steven Prokopy

Third Coast Review

Aida's Secrets offers shocking moments, disappointment, and fulfillment while still finding ways to deepen the mystery of this fragile, elderly woman who lived a life that was both extraordinary and probably quite common in the aftermath of the Holocaust.

May 27, 2020

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Alison Gillmor

Winnipeg Free Press

Aida's Secrets is not an incredibly artful doc...But the straight-ahead observation of this specific human story is powerfully emotional and affecting, particularly in the way it tracks the brothers' newfound relationship.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 29, 2018

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Chris Knight

National Post

Co-directors (and extended family members) Alon and Saul Schwarz use clever editing to parse out the genealogical twists and turns in the story, although a final-act surprise is left hanging.

Jan 12, 2018

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Audience Member

Beautiful and touching documentary! There is so much known about the suffering during WWII, but so little of what happened after the war. People are still suffering 75 years after the war as a result of the Nazi horrors. I hope Aida found some peace before she past away.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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DD M

The most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Touched my heart.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/04/20

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Audience Member

Very intriguing and moving story about love, loss and secrets.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

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Audience Member

Very well-made documentary about the survival and even triumphs of mere mortals in the wake of WWII and the holocaust, told through the unraveling secrets of one mother and her sons.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

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Audience Member

Worthwhile. In the aftermath of a horrific war, one parts with her babies.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

Just great. Don't want to give anything away. Go see it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

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Alon Schwarz

Director

Shaul Schwarz

Director

Halil Efrat

Writer

Alon Schwarz

Writer

Alon Schwarz

Producer

Gudrun Hanke-El Ghomri

Executive Producer

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Aida's Secrets: Trailer 1

2:22

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Synopsis

In 1945, Izak was born inside the Bergen-Belsen displaced persons camp and sent for adoption in Israel. Secret details of his birth mother, an unknown brother in Canada and his father's true identity slowly emerge in this investigative, biographical film. The plight of displaced persons come to the fore when Izak and Shep -- the almost 70-year-old brothers -- finally meet in Canada, then head to a nursing home in Quebec to introduce Shep to his elderly mother, Aida, for the first time.

Director: Alon Schwarz, Shaul Schwarz
Producer: Alon Schwarz
Screenwriter: Halil Efrat, Alon Schwarz
Distributor: Music Box Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 20, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 16, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $91.3K
Runtime: 1h 30m

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