"The Monopol" and the Discovery of Anna’s Letter

Discover the origins of "The Monopol," a Holocaust narrative film by director Gal Genossar. From the initial idea to the emotional discovery of Anna’s last letter, explore the early steps in bringing this powerful story to life.

A Phone Call That Sparked a Journey

The Monopol began when I saw a tender issued by the Claims Conference for short films on the Holocaust. I immediately thought of Nati Brooks and reached out. I made a call that would set the wheels in motion for a project neither Nati Brooks nor I could have anticipated. “Do you have a script for a Holocaust film?” I asked. That simple question led to the creation of "The Monopol," a film that would come to mean so much to both of us.

Just a few days before I made that call, something remarkable happened. Nati’s daughter, Roni, had transcribed an interview they had conducted with her grandfather, Elyo, about their family’s story during the Holocaust. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. When Nati told Roni about my question, she immediately sent him the transcript.

As Nati read through the words of his grandfather-in-law, the weight of the history and the depth of the story struck him. It was more than just a family tale—it was a narrative that deserved to be shared with the world. That moment of realization became the seed from which "The Monopol" would grow.

The First Investigative Meeting: Yad Vashem on Holocaust Day

Our journey took a profound turn on Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2022. Nati and I attended the main ceremony at Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. It was a day heavy with reflection, and the importance of the project we were embarking on was deeply felt.

After the ceremony, we met with Ella Gros Gefen, Nati’s mother-in-law, whose family’s story would become the heart of our film. We went to Ella’s home in Jerusalem to conduct a filmed interview about her family’s experiences during the Holocaust. This interview was more than just gathering facts—it was an emotional journey through memories that had been long buried.

The Discovery of Anna's Letter

During our conversation with Ella, she revealed something that would profoundly shape the narrative of "The Monopol." Ella’s mother, Anna, had left behind a letter—the last letter she received from her parents before they were sent to the Treblinka extermination camp. This letter, a final farewell filled with love and faith, was deeply moving.

Ella showed us a copy of the letter, explaining that the original is preserved in the archives at Yad Vashem. Holding this letter, we felt its emotional weight. It wasn’t just a piece of paper; it was a connection between a daughter and her parents, written in the shadow of impending death. This letter would become a central element in our film, guiding the narrative and the actions of our characters.

Objects like Anna’s letter can carry immense dramatic weight, driving characters to make significant decisions. For us, this letter was an emotional anchor—a symbol of the personal stories we wanted to tell through "The Monopol."

The Heartfelt Beginnings of 'The Monopol'

Looking back at the beginnings of "The Monopol," it’s clear that this journey was more than just the creation of a film—it was a deeply personal exploration of history, memory, and identity. What started as a simple phone call turned into an emotional quest, one that connected us with stories long buried and artifacts that carried the weight of a family's love and loss.