Sorella’s Story transforms the story behind a single smuggled 1941 photograph, buried by history, into an unforgettable 15-minute immersive experience. Inside a VR headset, the viewer is transported to a 360 snowy landscape with 10-year-old girl Sorella Epstein.
Tragically, Sorella and almost 4,000 Latvian Jewish women and children were ordered to undress in freezing temperatures prior to a mass execution on a beach in Liepāja, Latvia during the Holocaust. Sorella’s Story is a visceral reminder and warning of how prejudice can escalate to devastating tragedy. This impactful story invites the viewer to accompany Sorella and some of the women as they embark on their last journey, so that we never forget.
Director:
Peter Hegedüs’ filmmaking career spans over 25 years. He has been making films since the age of 17 exploring human stories that shed light on identity, place and belonging. His work is characterized by a commitment to social justice be they documentary or drama.
Peter’s work has been shown at major Film Festivals around the world including one of his documentaries Inheritance: a Fisherman's Story being shortlisted for the Academy Awards and his latest 360 immersive story Sorella’s Story having been selected for competition at the prestigious Venice International Film Festival. His critically acclaimed films have also won numerous awards and been broadcast in many countries including the highest accolade in Hungary, for the Hungarian Critics Award for Best Documentary in 2020 and was also nominated for Best Director by the Australian Directors Guild.
Peter is an Associate Professor at the Griffith Film School which is the biggest film School of its kind in Australia. Peter continues to participate in panel discussions and forums around the world concerning international financing, documentary ethics and directing. He has also been active in the non-governmental sector supporting key social justice organisations around Australia and Europe.
