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Director Biography - Sophia Albrecht
Sophia Albrecht is an aspiring director and producer from Munich. Before studying film directing, she completed vocational training as an event manager.
Sophia has been volunteering in youth work and Holocaust remembrance for several years now. Her passion lies in creating historical dramas to vividly depict important events and their impacts on peoples’ lives.
Her projects are dedicated to raising historical awareness and keeping the stories of the past alive.
Director Statement
‘Beautiful Smile’ is a short film that tells the captivating story of Viktor, an Estonian boy on the brink of death, trapped in a cattle transport train at the end of the 20th century. Viktor finds the strength to continue because of his love for Magda, a German girl. Despite the brutal conditions and with the help of an old man, who is convinced by a piece of his bread, Viktor learns how to talk to Magda and momentarily escape the grim reality around him.
The film highlights how love can provide hope and meaning in the darkest moments. By deliberately keeping the fate of the passengers vague, the story reflects the universal experience of children who lose their childhoods to war and displacement.
I was inspired to create this film through my connection to several Holocaust survivors, as well as the current political situation in several countries that robs innocent children of their futures. During my semester abroad in Tallinn, I received messages from friends in Israel who had to flee their homes due to terror attacks. These stories, along with my grandfather's escape from Berlin, deeply moved me and gave birth to the idea for ‘Beautiful Smile’. The film is dedicated to all the children who have been deprived of their childhoods by hate, politics and war.
It was incredible to see so many people wanting to be part of this project, each interpreting their own family histories into the narrative. Production-wise, it was especially remarkable that we built a moveable train wagon inside an old garage, adding a unique and authentic touch to the film.
"Beautiful Smile" is a short film about Viktor, a boy who is on the verge of death in a deportation train wagon and finds a new will to live through his young love for a strange girl. Through the advice of an old man and against all odds, he finds ways to communicate with Magda. Being in love makes him forget about all the horror and deteriorating conditions in the wagon for the duration of the journey. It's about how love can give you a sense of purpose in the darkest moments of life, providing hope and strength for what lies ahead, even if only for a brief time.
Director Biography - Sophia Albrecht
Sophia Albrecht is an aspiring director and producer from Munich. Before studying film directing, she completed vocational training as an event manager.
Sophia has been volunteering in youth work and Holocaust remembrance for several years now. Her passion lies in creating historical dramas to vividly depict important events and their impacts on peoples’ lives.
Her projects are dedicated to raising historical awareness and keeping the stories of the past alive.
Director Statement
‘Beautiful Smile’ is a short film that tells the captivating story of Viktor, an Estonian boy on the brink of death, trapped in a cattle transport train at the end of the 20th century. Viktor finds the strength to continue because of his love for Magda, a German girl. Despite the brutal conditions and with the help of an old man, who is convinced by a piece of his bread, Viktor learns how to talk to Magda and momentarily escape the grim reality around him.
The film highlights how love can provide hope and meaning in the darkest moments. By deliberately keeping the fate of the passengers vague, the story reflects the universal experience of children who lose their childhoods to war and displacement.
I was inspired to create this film through my connection to several Holocaust survivors, as well as the current political situation in several countries that robs innocent children of their futures. During my semester abroad in Tallinn, I received messages from friends in Israel who had to flee their homes due to terror attacks. These stories, along with my grandfather's escape from Berlin, deeply moved me and gave birth to the idea for ‘Beautiful Smile’. The film is dedicated to all the children who have been deprived of their childhoods by hate, politics and war.
It was incredible to see so many people wanting to be part of this project, each interpreting their own family histories into the narrative. Production-wise, it was especially remarkable that we built a moveable train wagon inside an old garage, adding a unique and authentic touch to the film.
"Beautiful Smile" is a short film about Viktor, a boy who is on the verge of death in a deportation train wagon and finds a new will to live through his young love for a strange girl. Through the advice of an old man and against all odds, he finds ways to communicate with Magda. Being in love makes him forget about all the horror and deteriorating conditions in the wagon for the duration of the journey. It's about how love can give you a sense of purpose in the darkest moments of life, providing hope and strength for what lies ahead, even if only for a brief time.
