As Seen Through These Eyes

Even during the Holocaust, art endured: Smuggling in charcoal and shreds of paper, risking death for the chance to sketch, thousands of prisoners created compositions in the camps. These works not only endured, they inspired both visions of victory and haunting meditations on the hereafter. Though Hilary Helstein’s film displays depth, its structure relies too heavily on Maya Angelou’s narration to flesh out deeper implications. Still, these artworks (and the tales behind them) are captivating, a testimony to a way of thinking beyond the barbed wire.