Motion Pictures
August 1, 2000
"Into The Arms Of Strangers" To Debut Exclusively In Five North American Cities On September 15
(August 1, 2000 – Burbank, CA) – On September 15, audiences in select cities will have the opportunity to experience "Into the Arms of Strangers," an emotionally stirring feature-length documentary from Academy Award-winning filmmaker Mark Jonathan Harris. The Warner Bros. Pictures release will open in exclusive engagements in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Boston and Washington, D.C., it was announced today by Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
For nine months prior to the outbreak of World War II, in an act of mercy without equal, Britain opened its doors to over 10,000 innocent children whose lives had been thrown into chaos following the rise of Hitler and the pogrom the Nazis called Kristallnacht. “Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport” is a film about this extraordinary rescue effort and its dramatic impact on the lives of the children who were saved. The majority of the Kinder, as they were called, never saw their parents again. Through painstakingly unearthed footage and the vividly-remembered experiences of the Kinder and those who helped them, “Into the Arms of Strangers” brings to light the untold stories of the children who were forced to grow up overnight; the parents whose sacrifice in sending their children to safety took all of their courage and love; and the rescuers who gave of themselves during one of history’s darkest hours.
From Mark Jonathan Harris, writer and director of the Academy Award-winning film “The Long Way Home,” comes the compelling story of the journey into the arms of strangers. Of the 10,000 children who were saved, one of them was the mother of producer Deborah Oppenheimer. A successful producer for television and president of Mohawk Productions, Oppenheimer’s experience making the film was likewise a journey of discovery for herself and for many of the people she met along the way.
Narrated by Oscar winner Judi Dench (“Shakespeare In Love”), the Sabine Films Production is edited by Kate Amend, who previously worked with Harris on “The Long Way Home.” Music is by Emmy Award winner Lee Holdridge (“The Long Way Home,” “The Tuskegee Airmen”). The director of photography is Don Lenzer (“The Source,” “The Long Way Home,” Emmy Award winner for “ER”). Sound design is by Academy Award winner Gary Rydstrom, whose work on this film follows a career encompassing some of the biggest films of all time (“Saving Private Ryan,” “Jurassic Park”). Written and directed by Mark Jonathan Harris (“The Long Way Home”), “Into the Arms of Strangers” is produced by Deborah Oppenheimer (“The Drew Carey Show,” “Norm”). The film is released worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures. www.intothearmsofstrangers.com# # #