Last night at Cinobo Opera I saw the new documentary by Stelios Kouloglou, “Born Twice”. It is a truly excellent work, with enchanting music by Panagiotis Kalantzopoulos and an exceptionally careful production in both sound and editing.

The film tells the story of a child whose mother managed to push him out of the wagon of a train heading to Auschwitz. He survived, grew up and became a lawyer and a jazz musician. His mother, however, did not make it.

It is a deeply reflective film about collective memory, human dignity and forgiveness – a forgiveness captured movingly through his later friendship with the son of a Nazi and collaborator.

A man full of love for life, who shares his experience with schoolchildren, reminding all of us, young and old, of the true meaning of solidarity in these dark times.

Everyone should see it.

I wish the European leaders who govern us would see it too – those who today choose to turn a blind eye (when they are not actively supporting them) to modern-day genocides, the rise of racism and the erosion of the values of our time.