Aida's Secrets

Izak Szewelwicz was born in the Bergen-Belsen displaced persons camp in 1945 and sent for adoption in Israel. Many years ago, Izak found and formed a relationship with his birth mother, but was always told that his father had died in the war. In 2013, everything he knew about his personal history changed when he tracked down his adoption files and uncovered that his father had been alive after the war and had reportedly divorced his mother. Seeking more answers, Izak located his birth certificate in Germany. He was shocked to discover another birth certificate—one of a brother he never knew existed.

Filmmakers and brothers Alon and Shaul Schwarz set out to find answers for their Uncle Izak, uncovering timely questions of identity, resilience, compassion, and the plight of displaced persons as Izak and his brother Shep—both almost 70-years-old—emotionally reunite in Canada before traveling to a nursing home in Montreal to introduce Shep to his elderly mother, Aida, for the first time.

Awards & Festivals

Winner - Jury Prize for Best Documentary, 2017 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

Winner - Audience Award, 2017 Miami Jewish Film Festival

Official Selection, 2017 New York Jewish Film Festival

True Stories Selection, 2017 Palm Springs International Film Festival

Winner, Audience Award, 2016 Tel Aviv's DocAviv International Film Festival

World Premiere, 2016 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival