Berlin Chic
Synopsis:
The rise and fall of the Jewish fashion industry with the Nazis’ coming to power. For the first time, those voices will be heard and their lasting legacy is finally revealed to the world
Berlin was a progressive center for fashion. Reaching the height of its success in the 1920s, the German industry freed women from corsets and brought prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear) design to the world. Jewish artisans led trends and shaped fashion through the innovation of measuring sticks and mass production of clothing.
In 1933, there were nearly 2,700 German-Jewish owned brands that comprised about 85% of the industry. By 1939, only 120 remained. Jewish industrialists and designers were confronted by the Third Reich. While some fled, other were displaced, “Aryanized,” and murdered. Some were sent to the sewing “Fashion Saloon” in Auschwitz, where Jewish seamstresses created haute couture for Nazi elite.
Producer: Michal Weits
Director: Sigal Rosh
Nation: Israel
Estimated length: 75 minutes
Screenplay: Sigal Rosh
Editing: Shauli Melamed
Photography: Roberto Ravitz
Budget forecast: 390.000 €
Funding confirmed : 97.000 €
Missing resources: 293.000 €
Objective: CO-PRODUCTION, PRE-SALES, ACQUISITION, DISTRIBUTION
Shooting start: November, 2023
Planned end of shooting: April, 2024
Director’s notes:
Rarely are the words “Holocaust” and “fashion” spoken in the same breath but for me, fashion is far more than just chic clothes. it is not a “Holocaust movie” in the traditional sense. The film will look back on the early 20th century through the lens of fashion and culture, through the eyes of people who built the Jewish fashion industry. This is my drive in making the film – I want to bring this topic to the mainstage, and to break this wall of silence, one more, once and for all.
Production notes:
We are after a year of research, in the framework of which we located key figures who will be interviewed for the film. The research also included visual research of comprehensive archival materials and the search of archives will continue in the coming months.
As for the production – Channel 8- HOT is supporting the film. We submitted the film to Israeli Film Funds and to The Claims Committee and we are waiting for answers.
Hans-Robert Eisenhouer is our German partner. We are in contact with Serge Gordey from France and we are checking our options in that direction.
Our participation in Dok-Fest Munich opened for us additional potential collaborations with the Scandinavian countries, Italy, Canada and more.
In the festival we got the first prize, for best project and won British Pathé archive material worth 15,000 euros.
DIRECTOR BIOGRAPHY
Sigal Rosh is a leading producer, content editor, and researcher in The Israeli documentary film industry; She has produced in Israel in service of leading International TV channels such as ARTE, TV5, BBC, MSNBC, SBS, Nippon Television Network, and more. She has produced, co-produced, line produced, and has done the research for numerous documentary films. Since 2008, a teacher at The Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film and Television School.
PRODUCTION HSCC – Slutzky Communications | PRODUCER Michal Weits | CONTACTS michal.weits@hscc.co.il
Michal Weits is an Israeli documentary director and producer. Head of the documentary department at HSCC – Slutzky Communications. Studied at the “Sam Spiegel” film and television school. Former head producer of the leading Israeli documentary Channel 8 (HOT network). At HSCC – Slutzky Communications, an Israeli television content company which holds and operates three of the most popular and prominent channels in HOT (the largest broadcasting platform in Israel), Michal is responsible for managing the documentary department, in terms of both content and production. The position includes managing productions’ budgets and production teams, working with broadcasters, and initiating productions of international documentary projects.