About The Number on Great-Grandpa's Arm (HBO)

"The Number on Great-Grandpa's Arm" is a potent and moving documentary that aired on HBO in 2018. The half-hour film introduces viewers to 10-year-old Elliott and his great-grandfather, Jack, a Holocaust survivor. Through their conversation grows a sobering history lesson and a poignant exploration of the horrors of the Holocaust.

Plot and Summary

Elliott, a child full of curiosity, poses questions to his great-grandfather Jack about the number tattooed on his arm. Jack, a Holocaust survivor, recounts his heartbreaking and terrifying experiences during the Holocaust. This gentle interchange of memory serves to educate and remind viewers of the human cost of intolerance. A seamless interplay of hand-drawn animation and intimate sofa chat keeps the dark subject matter approachable.

Making/Production

The film is directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Amy Schatz, with animation from artist Jeff Scher and historical conversations with historian David Rothenberg. It masterfully combines the story from survivor Jack with the innocence and curiosity of the young generation, as represented by Elliott.

Actors

• Jack Feldman: Jack Feldman, the great-grandfather, plays himself in the film. His raw emotional recounting of his experiences during the Holocaust provides the heart and soul of this poignant documentary.
• Elliott Saiontz: Elliott Saiontz, the real-life great-grandson, asks the questions that guide Jack's reminiscences. His innocence and the youthful perspective he brings to the story offer viewers a unique and heartbreaking point of view.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film blends live-action sequence and animation to make the heavy content engaging and digestible, especially to younger viewers.
• The one-on-one conversation unfolds naturally, making the story's exposition organic and the emotional impact more profound.

Awards

The Number on Great-Grandpa's Arm was acclaimed for its sensitive treatment of a challenging subject, although it didn't receive any formal awards.

Quotes

• "This is history. This is something that should be known. So it's important for him (Elliott) to know and understand."
• "We have to learn from the past for a better future."

Music, Soundtrack

• The film uses an understated and fittingly somber score to accompany its narrative. The soft, sensitive music serves to enhance the emotive impact of the documentary.
• No detailed soundtrack is available as the film largely relies on the natural soundscape of conversation and memory.