Animated biopic of Holocaust survivor launches with Parliament screening

“When I was asked if Zoom could make my testimony into an animation, I thought to myself, ‘Is this what it’s come to? Making the Holocaust into Mickey Mouse?’” he said.

“But now I realise, what Zoom has done is the most wonderful thing and has made my experience understandable for a whole new generation.

"I hope it is a great success and can make a difference to Humanity so that people can see where hate leads and what starts with the Jews doesn’t end up with the Jews."

The film is based on Perl's memoir, Chicken Soup under the Tree: A Journey to Hell and Back, and draws on photographs, survivor testimony, historical expertise and extensive research at former concentration camp sites.

After the event, Perl presented a signed copy of his book to Darren Jones, who serves as chief secretary to the Prime Minister and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Yoni Finlay, Zoom Rockman, Ivor Perl, Darren Jones and Nigel Canin in Westminster (Photo: HET)[Missing Credit]

Rockman said he hoped the film would help combat Holocaust denial.

“I was born in the year 2000, so I’ve grown up with the internet and witnessed the rise of Holocaust denial online.

"At school, I’d been told that I’d be one of the last to meet Holocaust survivors, so when I met Ivor Perl BEM and read his testimony, I saw it as an opportunity to present a primary source testimony to my generation (Gen Z) and the next in a way that would be accessible to them.”

Rockman visited every site featured in the film, “in order to depict each location as accurately as possible and based every puppet on a real photographic reference”.

“The only thing similar to Ivor’s book I’d ever read was Anne Frank’s diary, which ends with her deportation, whereas this is where Ivor’s testimony began,” he went on.

"I hope that my film, along with Ivor’s book and the online teaching resources, can become the ‘go to’ Holocaust educational resources for Year 9 students across the UK.”

Following the Nazi occupation of Hungary in 1944, the Perl family was forced into ghettos before being deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Perl, who was born in Mako in 1932, survived selection for the gas chambers by lying about his age, while his mother, sisters and younger brothers were sent to their deaths.

Along with his brother, Alec, he was transferred to Kaufering and later Dachau, where he survived forced labour, disease and death marches. In 1945, he and Alec came to Britain and, today, he dedicates his life to sharing his testimony.

Now he hopes his testimony will be shared with a whole new generation through Rockman’s film.

Karen Pollock CBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “Finding new and engaging ways to share survivor testimony is more important than ever. Survivor is a remarkable film that brings Ivor’s story to life in a way that is both engaging and firmly rooted in historical accuracy and authenticity.

“The film is a powerful reminder of where antisemitism and hatred can lead, and of our shared responsibility to 'ensure these stories are heard and continue to be heard for generations to come,” she said.