By Gerry Greber

There have been other films about the difficulties Holocaust survivors had in readjusting to life in a new age.  But no drama focused so intensely and movingly on the difficulties of the Holocaust orphans as  La Maison de Nina, which was a January 10 selection at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Shortly after French liberation in September 1944,  Nina’s “House of Hope,” an orphanage outside Paris, was filled with young secular French Jews, whose parents were assumed dead.. Soon, however, young survivors from various concentration camps arrived at the house, and began trying to readjust their lives.  Max was their charismatic, camp-wise leader.

At first there was conflict between the communist-leaning French Jews, who believed salvation might come from new ways, and the religious newcomers, who put their trust only Max and the teachings of their murdered rebbe.

However, Max’s influence gradually began to wane, producing some conflict with Nina.  Meanwhile,  there was also a gradual growth in respect and understanding among the two groups of youngsters.  The wise and loving Nina drew on Jewish traditions in her attempts to knit the two groups together into a single family.

It may give you a lump in your throat, but this film is well worth seeing.