Photo : Archival Research Center (Boston University)
"The Illegals": A Cinematic Odyssey
In the autumn of 1947, Meyer Levin filmed the journey of Holocaust survivors attempting to reach Palestine clandestinely. The exhibition traces the genesis of The Illegals, a work between fiction and documentary that became an iconic testament to post-war Jewish Europe.
Musée d'Art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme (Paris 4th)
About
Holocaust survivors filmed by Meyer Levin
In the autumn of 1947, American journalist and writer Meyer Levin traveled to Warsaw to film the ruins of a destroyed Jewish world and the hopes of Holocaust survivors dreaming of starting new lives elsewhere. Accompanied by a cameraman and two actors – including his future wife Tereska Torrès, a novelist and resistance fighter – Levin documented the stages leading up to their departure within Polish Zionist organizations, the clandestine activities of the Brihah (Hebrew for "flight," the name of the emigration movement to Palestine), the illegal border crossings, and the precarious conditions in displaced persons camps across Europe.
The Illegals, between fiction and documentary on emigration to Palestine
His film The Illegals – a term used by the British for Jews attempting clandestine entry into Palestine – adopts a hybrid style combining precious archives with a fictional narrative. A pair of actors mingles with authentic survivors who travel by truck at night, cross forests and snow-covered mountains with their children and bundles, and eventually board a ship in Italy with 850 passengers bound for Palestine, only to be intercepted by the British near Haifa and interned in Cyprus. Based on the logbook kept by Tereska Torrès during filming and rich photographic archives, the exhibition reveals the genesis of this cinematic odyssey, whose images, later used many times, have become emblematic of the distress and aspirations of Jews in post-war Europe.
Our take on this event
Journey behind the scenes of a haunting post-war cinematic odyssey, where storytelling and raw history collide to capture an unyielding quest for a new beginning. Through rare archives and personal journals, you will discover the defiant spirit of those who risked everything for the hope of a home.
The Museum of Jewish Art and History hosts an exhibition centered on the 1947 film « The Illegals » by Meyer Levin. This cinematic odyssey documents the clandestine journey of Holocaust survivors attempting to emigrate to Palestine after the war. By blending archival footage with fictional narrative, the film captures the activities of the Brihah movement, border crossings, and the precarious life in displaced persons camps. Through the personal journals of Tereska Torrès and rare photographs, the exhibition sheds light on this historic project. Tickets are available at prices ranging from 0 to 13,50 euros.
Located at the Museum of Jewish Art and History in the 4th arrondissement, this exhibition examines the genesis of the film « The Illegals ». In 1947, writer Meyer Levin traveled to Poland to document survivors as they navigated illegal border crossings and the complex emigration networks of the Brihah. Accompanied by his future wife, Tereska Torrès, Levin created a hybrid work that combined fictional storytelling with the raw reality of families journeying through snow-covered mountains and crowded ships to reach Palestine.
Visitors can explore the background of this film through extensive archival photographs and the detailed production journals kept by Tereska Torrès. The display reveals the struggles of the passengers who were eventually intercepted by British forces and interned in Cyprus. You can visit the exhibition between January 28, 2027, and December 31, 2027. Opening hours are Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11:00 to 18:00, Wednesday from 11:00 to 21:00, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00.
