Big Sonia

"Big Sonia" is an uplifting story of resilience. In a Kansas City Star article, Eric Adler described "Big Sonia" as a story "of modern-day survival — how a tiny woman, time and again, after facing her own death and then that of her husband, is nonetheless able to reinvent herself and find hope and meaning in life."

Sonia's example of shunning hate serves us all well, a universal theme for all eras, as discussed in a KC Star article by Melinda Henneberger.

My favorite scene shows the reactions (to Sonia's comments) of long-term inmates in Lansing Correctional Facility. It tells you a lot about these prisoners as well as about Sonia.

The film also reminds us of the "dark side" of humanity, creatively using Sonia's doodles to give glimpses of the sordid history of her six years in concentration camps. Many viewers have praised the use of drawings rather than photos or recreations.

Sonia's children's comments provide valuable insights into the subtle impact of atrocities on succeeding generations.

I marvel that Todd Soliday was able to edit more than 600 hours of tape into a 93-minute movie. The stuff on the cutting room floor must have been heart-wrenching to drop.

When confronted with troubling occurrences in other countries, too many of us presume "that could never happen here". "Big Sonia" reminds us that we must remain vigilant and be willing to act to preserve freedom for fellow citizens, as well as ourselves.

This film is an exceptional educational tool, and is also entertaining, insightful, and heart-warming despite, or because of, the subject matter. The Holocaust, Jewish history, and Sonia's story, are all-too-relevant for world events today. Sonia and her family remind us that we must never forget. A true family affair and labor of love, Big Sonia blends the past with the present, and also gives hope for the future.

I saw Big Sonia at The Quad Cinema in New York, followed by a Q&A with directors Leah Warshawski and Todd Soliday, and with Evi Blaikie, board member of the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect. It was an honor to meet Sonia herself in person, and she said: "tell your friends to see the movie".

Greetings again from the darkness. Some people anxiously await the day they can retire and spend their days fishing or reading, while others put it off as long as possible since they find their identity through work. The diminutive subject of this terrific documentary is 91 year old Sonia Warshawski. Her reasons for maintaining a 6 day work week are both heart-warming and chilling, and make for a fascinating story.

Filmmakers Todd Soliday and Leah Warshawski (Sonia's granddaughter) do their part in allowing the charming and fiery lady to deliver her own message and recount the horrors of her childhood. Sonia is a Holocaust survivor. As a 13 year old in 1939 Poland, she and her family were taken. She never again saw her father or brother, took multiple beatings while being shuffled through 3 death camps (including Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen), and ultimately watched her mother led into the gas chamber. In her own words, she says she "was in hell", and it's "a miracle" she made it out.

You might assume that anyone who has experienced so much pain would be bitter and cynical, but that's not Sonia's way. In addition to running her tailor shop for 35 years, she is also an inspirational speaker at churches, schools and prisons. We get to see her in these presentations and we are struck by how her words carry such weight with the audiences – young and old. One of the convicts provides insight when he states, "It takes people who've been through something to reach those going through something". We also witness the way she connects with teenage students … something most of us have little success with.

Of course, Sonia has embraced her story, but the emotions and pain are never far from her. She stays busy to keep the memories at bay, and finds the idea of retirement somewhat frightening. We meet her 3 children and hear stories of their childhood and her husband John, also a Holocaust survivor. John died from Alzheimer's complications, but he is remembered fondly by all. It's so touching to watch as Sonia shows us her mother's 75 year old scarf which she keeps under her pillow, and we are mesmerized as she recounts the incredible story of her liberation day.

An NPR radio interview provides some structure throughout, but it's not necessary as we would follow Sonia wherever she leads. It's so much fun to watch her Overland Park customers greet her in the now- defunct shopping mall, and it's downright hilarious as she sports her favorite animal prints on her coat, shoes and purse … and even the cover on the steering wheel that she can barely see over! Mostly this is a life lesson from a master who teaches us "don't carry hate" … even though she admits to being unable to forgive. She leaves that to a higher power. She is the best example we could have for keeping history alive and spreading love and goodness.

Being from Kansas City I always love to support a "hometown" hero. But this is SO MUCH MORE than just supporting a local women with a tremendous story and her loving family who has documented her story.

Sonia, a holocaust survivor. She literally grew up in hell. Imagine the worst, but make it even worst. Her stories are heart wrenching. But she is larger than life and her heart is filled with so much love and positivity. She has no tolerance for hatred. This movie is strong reminder to all of "don't carry hate" and to LOVE. This documentary has so many life lessons.

The difficult parts of the movie are when Sonia tells her memories of her childhood at the concentration camps. The director opted to illustrate those memories which made it a little more tolerable to "see". Sonia's words though, paint the picture. I took my 11 yr old and it was age appropriate and started some great conversations with her. Not only about the childhood Sonia suffered, but about the LOVE that needs to be in this world.

Be prepared to laugh, cry, gasp and reflect. We need more Sonia's in this crazy world we live in.

This is one of the best films of 2017, and it is absolutely necessary for the times we live in. "Big Sonia" is the antidote to hatred and intolerance, to prejudice born of ignorance. At the end of the day, we are all people, regardless of the color of our skin, who we worship, who we choose to vote for, or who we kiss. This film makes you realize that the person sitting next to you on any given day may have a story that makes you think about who you are and what you believe.

I am sure the filmmakers did not intend to make a film that could bring people together and teach them about tolerance and forgiveness. The film starts out as the story of somebody's eccentric grandmother and then morphs into something more. Much, much more. I am not going to talk about the plot or the characters. All I want to do is encourage you to see the film, prepare to smile, and prepare to think. Recommend it to your family and your friends, and watch it with your kids. Show them that the real superheroes in our world are actually living on any street in Anytown, USA, or simply working at the mall.