“All I owned was my camera, a leopard coat, and a grenade in case of capture…the pillow was the rifle, the walls were the trees and the sky was the roof,” says partisan Faye Schulman.
Over 25,000 Jewish partisans fought back against the Nazis and their collaborators from deep within the forests of WWII’s Eastern Europe, Ukraine and Belarus. Against extraordinary odds, they escaped Nazi slaughter, transforming from young innocents to courageous resistance fighters. Shattering the myth of Jewish passivity, these last surviving partisans tell their stories of resistance in FOUR WINTERS, revealing a stunning narrative of heroism and resilience.
Torn from their families by the ravages of Hitler’s armies, men and women, many barely in their teens, escaped into the forests, banding together in partisan brigades; engaging in treacherous acts of sabotage, blowing up trains, burning electric stations, and attacking armed enemy headquarters. Against extraordinary odds, over 25,000 Jewish partisans courageously fought back against the Nazis and their collaborators from deep within the forests of WWII’s Belarus, Ukraine and Eastern Europe.
The last surviving partisans relive their journey in FOUR WINTERS, sharing their stories of resistance. Director Julia Mintz shines a spotlight on their transformation from young innocents raised in closely knit Jewish communities and families, to becoming fierce partisan soldiers with enduring hope, grit, magnificent courage and deep humanity.
Featuring the photography of Faye Schulman, partisan photographer clad in her signature leopard coat, and through a fusion of inspiring and powerful first-person interviews with stunning archival footage, FOUR WINTERS uncovers secrets held for lifetimes, revealing a heartfelt narrative of heroism, determination and resilience.
NEW YORK TIMES – Nicholas Rapold
“…AN ENDURING WARNING AMID TODAY’S GLOBAL STRUGGLE WITH AUTHORITARIAN FORCES.”
JEFFREY LYONS – Film Critic
“EASILY ONE OF THE BEST FILMS OF THE YEAR”
TABLET MAGAZINE – Marjorie Ingall
“A MUST-SEE HOLOCAUST MOVIE (NO, REALLY)…‘FOUR WINTERS’ is a documentary with suspense, humor, and zero sentimentality…”
Ms. MAGAZINE – Carrie Baker
“…FROM EMPATHY TO AWE… poignant, deeply reflective, and sometimes shockingly funny…”
