FLIGHT
We’ve all heard the story of Anne Frank who, with her family hid from the Nazi’s, but was still slaughtered. This is the story of her next door neighbors who, instead of going into hiding with the Franks, took flight across Europe, going head on into danger.
Hans Kohnstam Untold true story He ran when the Frank family stayed Award winning book.
FEATURE FILM: F L I G H T
Feature Film: Flight (working title, currently a book to develop)
True story, based on the award-winning book, “A Chance to Live: A Family’s Journey to Freedom”
Sweeping scope… non-stop action through Nuremberg, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Paris, Lyon, Barcelona,
Genre: Action Adventure/Suspense Drama
Plot: Jewish artist fleeing false charges by Gestapo decides to place the fate of his young family in the hands of an underground network led by righteous gentiles, in a life-or-death chase to keep ahead of the Nazis as they sweep across Europe.
Elements: The story is filled with “edge-of-your-seat”, riveting action, sinking boats, jumping from trains, with some humorous elements (Boy in Brothel...) There is a market for WWII era films. This is not a “Holocaust film”, rather a film of a man’s journey – through a harrowing adventure across Europe overcoming incredible obstacles - to become the husband, father and man he needs to be to survive.
Summary: Hans Kohnstam, a young Jewish artist and dreamer, had temporarily settled in Amsterdam after being falsely accused by the Gestapo in Nuremberg, Germany (1933). Now faced with the danger of advancing Fascism, he must grow into a man to ensure the survival of his wife, Ruth, and 6-year-old son, Pieter. Aided by Gerda, a righteous gentile who owns fashion salons across Europe, the Kohnstams bid farewell to their neighbors—the Anne Frank family—and take flight across Europe on a treacherous journey to escape the advancing Nazis.
The family moves through Europe with the help of Gerda’s ‘passeurs’—aristocrats, hookers, artists and priests-who have risked everything to join the underground resistance. Fresh instructions, false identities (farmers, railway workers...) and impending danger await the Kohnstams at every twist and turn.
Theme: This is a story of humanity, potential and possibility. The faith and courage of many people come together to bring this family the hope of survival.
“A Chance to Live: A Family’s Journey to Freedom” (Bardolf, 2005; Finalist, Best Biography/ Autobiography, Florida Publishers Association, 2008)
