The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life

CinemaSerf

What is it about these survivors of the Holocaust that they always seem to come across as the most stoically forgiving of people. Despite the appalling and degrading treatment they received at the hands of the Nazis, and the daily apprehension surrounding their lives whilst many around them - including those they knew and loved - were beaten, starved, tortured or murdered, they steadfastly refuse to surrender their humanity to hate or rancour. At the ripe old age of 109, Alice Sommer-Herz lives in London and still regularly belts out some Bach or Chopin on the upright piano in her room. She’s perfectly coherent, energetic and celebratory of every day and her joie de vivre is remarkable. Though she is the central character in this enlightening documentary, it also features fellow survivors Anita Lasker-Wallfisch and Zdenka Fantlova and these two add different perspectives on their captivity and it’s aftermath that almost come over as controversial. They do all agree, though, that it was music that kept them from death. With plenty of accompaniment from this accomplished and really quite charming pianist, these three exude a lust for life that is ultimately their victory over the Mengele’s of a world whose contempt for humanity seems to have inspired these women rather than demoralised them. As Sommer-Herz says herself, life is very much for living and psychology is hugely important when approaching that task. Perhaps they just have efficient firewalls to block out the atrocities of their past, but their humble determination to make the most of things is inspirational to listen to. (PS. Mrs Wasker-Wallfisch is still going strong in “The Commandant’s Shadow” (2024) too).