Film Screening: „Die Unsichtbaren – Wir wollen leben“

The Schwarzkopf Foundation Young Europe and the Foundation Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe warmly invite school classes to a special film screening at Babylon Cinema in Berlin. We will be showing the docudrama Die Unsichtbaren – Wir wollen leben on 9 October, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Babylon Cinema, Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 30, 10178 Berlin. The film tells the story of young Jewish people who went into hiding in Berlin during the Nazi era and fought to survive.

Berlin, 1943. The Nazi regime has officially declared the German capital „free of Jews.“ Yet against all odds, some Jewish people achieve the seemingly impossible: they become invisible to the authorities. Often, it is sheer luck and the fearlessness of youth that protect them from the Gestapo. Only a handful of trusted people know their true identities.

There is Cioma Schönhaus, who secretly forges passports in an attempt to save the lives of dozens of fellow victims of persecution. Hanny Lévy dyes her hair blonde so she can walk unnoticed along Berlin’s Kurfürstendamm, passing as non-Jewish. Eugen Friede distributes resistance leaflets at night while hiding in plain sight during the day, wearing a Hitler Youth uniform and living with a German family. Ruth Gumpel, disguised as a war widow, serves black-market delicacies to Nazi officers. Together, they fight for a life in freedom without ever truly being free.

„Die Unsichtbaren – Wir wollen leben“ is an extraordinary docudrama based on interviews conducted by director Claus Räfle and co-writer Alejandra López with survivors, whose testimonies are woven into the film. It tells the gripping and deeply moving story of these courageous individuals while shedding light on a largely overlooked chapter of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust.

Following the screening, there will be a discussion with Alice Dwyer, who portrays the young Jewish woman Hanny Lévy in the film, Alejandra López, the film’s co-writer, and historian Oliver Gaida. The discussion will be moderated by Berlin filmmaker Britta Wauer.

Together with the students, the panel will reflect on the people and historical events portrayed in the film and explore their relevance for our society today. The screening is designed not only to provide a powerful perspective on persecution, courage, and civil courage, but also to encourage young people to ask themselves an important question:

„What does this story have to do with me today?“

The event is free of charge and is primarily intended for secondary school classes (Years 7–13).

By attending the event, participants agree that photographs and video recordings taken during the event may be used for publication.

We look forward to welcoming you and your students to this special event.

Please register by 8 October 2026 by sending an informal email to events@schwarzkopf-stiftung.de.