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"Forgotten Girls" Documentary Sheds Light on Overlooked Holocaust Stories

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Wednesday, January 28th 2026 at 5:45 GMT by People
      Locales: POLAND, GERMANY

Wednesday, January 28th, 2026 - A new documentary, "Forgotten Girls," premiering as part of PBS's Holocaust Remembrance Day programming, is poised to reshape our understanding of the Holocaust by focusing on a largely overlooked aspect: the experiences of Jewish women deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. The film, directed by Sieneke de Groot, unveils the harrowing journey of 999 women and girls transported from the Hoogeveen transit camp in the Netherlands to the infamous concentration camp in October 1944 - a story that has, until now, remained obscured by history.

For decades, historical accounts of the Holocaust have, perhaps unintentionally, centered on the experiences of men and young children. While the atrocities faced by all victims are undeniably crucial to remember, the specific hardships, resilience, and often-forgotten acts of courage displayed by the Jewish women transported to Auschwitz have been relegated to the periphery. "Forgotten Girls" seeks to rectify this imbalance, meticulously reconstructing the events leading up to the transport and providing an intimate, yet unflinching, look at life within the camp through newly discovered documents and deeply moving testimonies.

The documentary's genesis lay in de Groot's own surprise at discovering the lack of documentation surrounding this particular transport. "I was shocked that such a large transport of women had been erased from history," she explained in an interview. This discovery sparked a years-long research effort, culminating in a film that not only details the logistical nightmare of the deportation - the overcrowded cattle cars, the brutal conditions, the sheer terror - but also delves into the individual lives and personalities of the women themselves.

"Forgotten Girls" doesn't shy away from the horrors of Auschwitz. It presents a stark and realistic portrayal of the daily struggles for survival, the constant threat of starvation and disease, and the ever-present shadow of death. However, it differentiates itself by highlighting the extraordinary bonds forged between the women in the face of unimaginable adversity. The film demonstrates how these women actively supported one another, sharing meager rations, offering emotional comfort, and maintaining a fragile sense of hope in a place designed to extinguish it.

De Groot emphasizes the remarkable strength and resilience exhibited by the women of the transport. "They were extraordinary women," she states. "They never lost hope, they looked after each other, and they were incredibly brave." The documentary meticulously documents instances of quiet defiance, acts of selflessness, and the unwavering determination to preserve their humanity in the midst of dehumanization.

The release of "Forgotten Girls" arrives at a critical moment. With the number of Holocaust survivors dwindling, the imperative to preserve their testimonies and ensure that future generations understand the full scope of the tragedy is more urgent than ever. The film serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of prejudice, intolerance, and historical amnesia.

The documentary isn't just a historical recounting; it's a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit. By giving voice to these forgotten women, de Groot hopes to ensure that their stories are not only remembered but also serve as a cautionary tale for future generations. The film serves as a poignant reminder that every individual life lost during the Holocaust deserves to be acknowledged, and that the fight against hatred and discrimination must continue. The stories matter, and Forgotten Girls ensures they will be heard.

"These women deserved to be remembered," de Groot powerfully concludes. "They were victims of the Holocaust, and their stories matter."

Forgotten Girls will air Wednesday on PBS.