Paper Clips
Whitwell, TN is a small, rural community of less than two thousand people nestled in the mountains of Tennessee. Its citizens are almost exclusively white and Christian. In 1998, the children of Whitwell Middle School took on an inspiring project, launched out of their principal's desire to help her students open their eyes to diversity in the world and the horrors and enormity of the holocaust.
Insights
Plot Summary
This documentary chronicles the efforts of students at Whitwell Middle School in Tennessee, a predominantly white, rural community, as they embark on a project to understand the Holocaust. Their goal is to collect one paper clip for each life lost, ultimately aiming for six million. The film follows their journey from initial research and fundraising to their interactions with Holocaust survivors and their eventual creation of a memorial museum.
Critical Reception
Paper Clips was widely praised for its poignant and inspiring story, highlighting the power of education and empathy. Critics lauded the students' earnestness and the film's ability to bring a difficult historical subject to a younger audience in a meaningful way. It resonated with viewers for its message of hope and remembrance.
What Reviewers Say
- A profoundly moving and educational documentary.
- Showcases the remarkable impact of dedicated students.
- An essential film for understanding empathy and remembrance.
Google audience: N/A
Awards & Accolades
Screened at various film festivals and received positive attention for its subject matter and execution.
Fun Fact
The school's paper clip project inspired the creation of the Paper Clip Project at the Holocaust Memorial Museum of South Texas, which continues to collect paper clips to represent the lives lost in the Holocaust.
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