Paper Clips (2004)

7 out of 9 people found the following review helpful:

Thought provoking

A Customer from Kent, Uk, 14th February, 2007

I've just watched this and thought the previous reviewer missed the point. It started as a paper clip exercise but ended up as something much deeper - about people, old and young, examining their own prejudices. This was brought about by their contact with Holocaust Survivors and with their research. There was some very touching moments when these survivors told their stories - and that's what the film was about - not about the statistics but about the reality of what it felt like to be 100 deep in a cattle car on the way to a concentration camp, about youngsters today being touched by something that happened more than 60 years ago.

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6 out of 10 people found the following review helpful:

No excuse for an appalling film

A Customer from Southern England, 14th May, 2007

What is a second rate TV film doing in the rental lists? This film was made by amateurs on a cheap camcorder. Not in the same sense as a well made dogma style or 'intended to be raw' docu style art style film. The idea is perfect...an ideal vehicle for a sentimental tear jerking 'true story' so why degrade it by making trash? If you like good films you'll love this to remind you why films are good and bad. Watch it and chuck it. Or you may well enjoy it. I didn't.

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6 out of 10 people found the following review helpful:

powerful

Alison from Surrey, 22nd February, 2007

I was very impressed and deeply moved by this documentary. I felt it told a lot about the Holocaust, from a very personal point of view. It is sad another reviewer was disappointed because it was a documentary rather than a film, but personally I like to hear about true stories, especially one as amazing as this. As a teacher I would have been proud to have been part of this and it was good how each incoming eighth grade year group moved the project on. I thought the production and development was good. I feel it should be compulsory viewing as part of high school history. and other adults too. The sad thing is that ethnic cleansing still goes on so we haven't learnt that lesson. Well done Whitwell Middle School. If ever in Tennesee I shall come and visit and Paper clips have taken on a new meaning for me.

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1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Theme on a theme

A Customer from Surrey, 29th September, 2008

Another holocoust inspired docudrama/film. Interesting slant and very valid in making people think, remember and get involved in something that should never ever be forgotten. Surprised that such a potentially redneck bigotted US region get behind this which gives hope. Unfailingly moving though and worth a watch.

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Paper Clips

A Customer from Castle Douglas, 12th April, 2009

Remarkable Story and very moving. I dont know why this film is not more well known. Not only does it remind us what went on in Germany during the Second World War it tells how a small community decided to teach their children and then it turns out, themselves the meaning of predjudice. I would hope that all who watch, even those who think they are broadminded to see this film. Be warned! Have a box of tissues - no sorry - a pile of washable hankies to hand - you will need them

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A moving and inspiring film

suze from from Reading, 6th April, 2008

This film made a huge impact on me.I have been to Chatanooga and got an impression of the society,which I found inward-looking and narrow-minded. This film totally reversed my view.It showed the brave and humane attempt to teach a group of 'ordinary kids' about the 'extra-ordinary'and harrowing events surrounding the Holocaust and the imaginative and inspiring project they became involved with. In the process they not only learned historical facts,but,more importantly, became aware of the dangers of prejudice and 'stereotyping'. The powerful symbol used as a Memorial to those who perished in the camps and the means by which this was achieved,were especially poignant for me as I had actually seen and entered a similar 'cattle truck' at an exhibition in Berlin at the Transport Museum...The film is a significant document in the history of Nazi Germany and a potent reminder to us all .

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*** May contain spoilers ***

Shoah suffering remembered

Polonius from from Thame, Oxon, 20th March, 2008

This is quite an amazing story brought to film. Too often our image of small-town America is shaped by the featire films and TV shows we watch, giving a very slanted and biased viewpoint of 'Hicksville' USA. We also get used to the stereotype American as being overweight, brash and crude. Worste yet are the kids, always demanding 'More, more', with little or no thought of what is going on in hte wider world. This film explodes all of those ideas. In an attempt to better understand the suffering of the Jews during the Shoah, teachers at a small-town US school launch a project, with the help of the pupils to collect one paper clip for every Jewish personn killed during the Second World War. It is a daunting prospect, but they go for it anyway with amazing results. This film demonstrates the way we all must put aside our prejudices and preconceptions if we are not to forget the lessons of the past. In particular, this is shown when the school receives a package from Germany of a suitcase. Inside is a large number of paper clips, each one with a personal message attached, in German, as an apology to Anne Frank and the rest of the Jewish peoples. As a teacher who covers this subject myself and who tries to get students to empathise with the plight of all thos undergoing genocide, this is now on my list of films to show in the classroom.

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