Description

“Defying the Nazis: The Sharps’ War” is an account of a daring rescue mission that occurred on the precipice of World War II. It tells the previously untold story of Waitstill and Martha Sharp, an American minister and his wife from Wellesley, Massachusetts, who left their children behind in the care of their parish and boldly committed to a life-threatening mission in Europe. Over two dangerous years they helped to save scores of imperiled Jews and refugees fleeing Nazi occupation across Europe. In 2006, the Sharps were recognized at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem as “Righteous Among the Nations,” the highest honor given by the State of Israel to non-Jews. They are two of only four Americans so honored.

A Co-Production of NO LIMITS MEDIA, Inc. and Florentine Films, in association with WETA, Washington, DC. A film by Ken Burns and Artemis Joukowsky, III. Produced by Matthew Justus and Ken Burns. © 2016 Farm Pond Pictures, LLC All Rights Reserved

Funding is provided by members of the Better Angels Society, including Jan and Rick Cohen and Jonathan and Jeannie Lavine; The Starr Foundation; The Threshold Foundation; and donations from individuals.

Director's Bio

Ken Burns has been making films for more than thirty years and has been acclaimed with numerous awards. “Brooklyn Bridge,” is one of two films produced and directed by Burns to have been nominated an Academy Award, and twelve of his films have been awarded Emmys. At the News and Documentary Emmy Awards, Burns was honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences with a Lifetime Achievement award. David Zura of The Baltimore Sun proclaimed Burns “the most influential filmmaker period” because he exposes viewers to history and offers a new perspective of our past and selves.

Co-Director Artemis Joukowsky III has culminated his several-decade research on his grandparents’ lives, Waitstill and Marth Sharp, into the production of this film. Mr. Joukowsky formed the Sharp Archives held at the United States Holocaust Museum and the Brown University Library as well as the educational curriculum with Facing History and Ourselves. Joukowsky is also a venture capitalist, a socially conscious investor and activist and has helped form ten for-profit and eight non-profit institutions focusing primarily on sustainability. Additionally, he works with his non-profit entity, No Limits Media, Inc., for the support of people with disabilities.

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