This 70-minute documentary tells stories about the property handed over for safekeeping during the Second World War in The Netherlands, its Jewish owners and its custodians. During the war, Jews had to hand over all their possessions to the occupying forces. Whatever was of any (emotional) value they were therefore forced to leave with non-Jewish acquaintances and neighbors for safekeeping. From precious jewelry to everyday furniture, everything was entrusted to others with the idea of retrieving it after the war.
Bewariërs (Custaryans) shows three different stories that reveal the profound impact of these events. The film highlights the searches for heirs of Jews who never returned from the camps, as well as the inner struggles of today’s custodians about what to do with the possessions in their care.
May 2nd 2024 the film got a cinematic release in The Netherlands.
May 4th 2025 it will be broadcasted by 2DOC on Dutch national television.
Made in collaboration with Chiel Christiaans (creative producer), Judith van Vliet (screenplay & research) and Timon Moll (co-director). In memory of David Lipschits.
Het Brabants Dagblad – Interview Sanne “I had goosebumps while filming the story of the violin.”
CineMakers Podcast Interview Sanne (audio)
VPRO cinema ★★★★ “Touching and enlightening.”
Het Parool “The touching story of the violin belonging to Jewish Bram, which was passed down time and time again.”
Cinemamagazine ★★★1/2 “For the descendants of the ‘keepers,’ the managed objects also symbolize the connection to their own (grand)parents.”
Historiek “Custaryans is a respectfully crafted documentary about a lesser-known aspect of the Holocaust.”
Filmkrant “The carefully preserved violin, reaching its rightful heirs decades later on the other side of the world, offers a glimmer of hope in human kindness.”
NRC ★★★ “Revealing a shocking lack of empathy for Jewish victims after WWII.”
FilmTotaal ★★★1/2 “The two directors tell a story that needs to be told, without embellishment.”
Docupdate 2doc “An interesting and thoroughly documented film.”
2024 | 70 minuten | Nederland | Regie: Timon Moll en Sanne Kortooms | Producent: Chiel Christiaans | Co-producenten: San Fu Maltha en Jeroen Koolbergen | Research en scenario: Judith van Vliet | Productiemanager: Sandra Verschoor | Productie: Paskal Peemen, Jeanice Zomer, Carolien Hendriks, Kristel van Grunsven | Camera: Freek Zonderland, Ewoud Bon | Camera-assistentie: Steven van Hensbergen, Marvin Sikkema | Gaffer: Tjeerd Melchers | Lichtassistentie: Kenneth van Bochove | Geluid: Paul Broers, Gerben Kockmeijer | Montage: Feike Santbergen, Cato-Margo Peekel |Mediamanagement en voormontage: Aswin Vermeire | Sound Design: Freek Phillipi | Muziek: Mark Pütz | Grading: Freek Zonderland | Productiebedrijf: Format Family|
Project: |
Feature Length Documentary |
Role: |
Co-Director |
Genre: |
Documentary, History, World War II |
Year: |
2024 |
Run time: |
70 minutes |
Premiere: |
May 2nd 2024 |
Premiere: |
Cinema, 2DOC (EO) |
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