In April 2017, six ultrarunner friends decided to revive an important World War II story and ran the authentic 170 km long journey – from Oswiecim, Poland, to Zilina, Slovakia – of an escape of two Slovakian Jewish prisoners of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Rudolf Vrba and Alfred Wetzler. The friends ran with a belief that the story is still very timely today and must not be forgotten.
Chance of survival grows when you are not alone, a simple fact that helped Vrba and Wetzler during their escape. They succeeded in April 1944 and survived thanks to the selfless help of a few brave men and women on the route. After 11 days of exhausting journey they wrote a terrifying Vrba-Wetzler Report about the real purpose of the Nazi concentration camps.
On the Edge, 2000. Directed by Viliam Bendik.
Introduction by the director
The screening is part of a film series that features well-known and lesser-known films telling the stories of Czech and Slovak Jews in the turbulent 20th century. Each film is introduced and discussed by a film historian or other relevant expert.
Free and open to the public. Suggested donation $15. Seats are limited, on first-come first-served basis. RSVP through Eventbrite.
About
VILIAM BENDIK worked for twelve years in management positions in different international corporations. In 2013 he decided to leave it all and start again, this time in his own company. In his free time, he also took up amateur ultra-running as well as making documentaries. His movies received several awards on festivals both at home and worldwide and have been enjoyed by many viewers in different parts of the world. Currently, he is working within the Bendik Films brand on further interesting amateur movie projects, in Slovakia and abroad. Moving stories told as long distances on interesting routes are run remains their common theme.
The event is organized by the Society for the History of Czechoslovak Jews with support of the Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association, Consulate General of the Czech Republic and Slovak Consulate General in New York.