Truus’ Children: A Forgotten War Hero

The award-winning film Truus' Children tells the story of the little-known Dutch resistance heroine Truus Wijsmuller, who saved at least 10,000 children.

Pamela Sturhoofd and Jessica van Tijn dedicated over three years to research the complete story of this Dutch Oskar Schindler, a woman so dedicated, stubborn and convinced of her mission that she went to Vienna in December of 1938 to negotiate a deal with Adolf Eichmann to let around 10.000 mostly Jewish children flee to England, some staying behind in Holland too.

A total 23 of the children saved by Mrs. Wijsmuller were traced down and interviewed. Including an authentic recording of an interview with Truus Wijsmuller after the war, this is an ode to the bravery of an extraordinary woman who dared to make a difference, and to the equally brave and resilient children she helped save.

The film will be followed by questions and answers with the film’s directors and an opportunity to hear about the Truus Wijsmuller archives.

Directors Pamela Sturhoofd and Jessica van Tijn met while studying Political Sciences at Amsterdam University. They both started their career at Dutch television, before moving to Latin America together to write stories about that part of the world. After they founded their company Special Eyes Productions, they have delivered a string of documentaries in the last two decades.

It took them over 3 years of intense research. Their documentary Truus’ Children is about one of the greatest, yet almost unknown Dutch resistance hero Truus Wijsmuller. It has been a hit in the Netherlands and other European countries. The directors are currently working to fulfil the promise they made to themselves - that they will do everything in their power to safeguard the heritage of Truus Wijsmuller and of the children she helped save. Rabbis Margaret and Richard Jacobi are the children of Rabbi Harry Jacobi, who was rescued by Truus Wijsmuller.