Watch The Struma

The Struma is a 2001 documentary film directed by Simcha Jacobovici that tells the harrowing story of a ship carrying Jewish refugees from Romania to Palestine during World War II. The film focuses on the Struma, a small and unseaworthy vessel that set sail in December 1941 with over 700 passengers on board. Many of the passengers were Holocaust survivors seeking refuge from Nazi-occupied Europe, while others were Jews hoping to settle in Palestine before the establishment of the State of Israel.

The voyage was plagued by a series of mishaps and delays, which only worsened as the ship reached the outskirts of Istanbul. The Turkish authorities, who were neutral in the war at the time, refused to allow the Struma to dock in their port, citing concerns about overcrowding and a lack of resources. The ship was forced to stay at sea for several weeks, as the refugees on board grew increasingly desperate and sick.

The situation reached a tragic climax in February 1942, when the Struma was torpedoed and sunk by a Soviet submarine off the coast of Istanbul. Only one person survived the sinking: David Stoliar, a 19-year-old Romanian Jew who had boarded the Struma with his family. Stoliar's account of the disaster serves as the backbone of the film, as he describes the horrors of the sinking and its aftermath.

Jacobovici pairs Stoliar's firsthand testimony with archival footage and interviews with historians to paint a vivid picture of the events leading up to the sinking of the Struma. The film highlights the various bureaucratic and political obstacles that prevented the refugees from finding a safe haven, as well as the failure of the international community to take action.

One of the strengths of The Struma is its ability to convey the emotional impact of the tragedy. Although the film is primarily a work of historical documentation, it does not shy away from the human cost of the sinking. Through interviews with survivors and family members of those who perished, Jacobovici captures the grief and trauma that continue to haunt the descendants of the passengers.

At the same time, The Struma also offers a powerful message of hope and resilience. Throughout the film, Jacobovici emphasizes the courage and spirit of the refugees, who refused to give up even in the face of incredible odds. He also recognizes the heroic efforts of individuals such as the Turkish-Jewish businessman Nessim Gaon, who worked tirelessly to secure safe passage for the Struma's passengers.

Overall, The Struma is a moving and thought-provoking film that sheds light on a little-known chapter of Holocaust history. Through its honest and nuanced representation of the events surrounding the Struma's sinking, the film encourages viewers to consider the moral and political complexities of refugee crises both past and present.

The Struma is a 2002 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.