People keep asking me how “The Lady in Number 6” came about, so why not explore how I got to meet the unbelievable Alice Herz Sommer.
It was two years ago.
As a member of the Academy of Motion Picture, I had just seen the documentary sections, and was struck at the power and brilliance of the people featured. Ordinary people with amazing mentalities doing extraordinary things. At moments like that, the mind slips into neutral and just spins. I went for a bathroom break.
That was when I decided I would do one good thing each year. For me, that meant finding a person who had achieved something remarkable, someone who could teach us something so beneficial it would make our time on earth seem a little more special.
The next day, I called an Oscar winning documentary filmmaker (also an ex-client of mine from my days at the Hollywood talent agency ICM) and said, “I want to make a documentary every year, any ideas?”
“It’s funny you should ask,” was his response. Coincidentally, he had received a call about a woman living in England named Alice Herz Sommer. One-hundred and seven at the time, Alice was the oldest pianist in the world and, even more unbelievable, had survived a concentration camp. I knew I’d found something remarkable.
I told him to start work that day. I called a friend in London, Chris Branch, who I had done a few films with. We’d made some profit on our last project, and I told him I wanted all of it back to make this new idea a reality. You’ll probably lose all the money, I told him, but here is this amazing women and here is why we need to do this film. Without blinking, Chris said, “I’m in!”
So our documentary was born. The more we learned, the more incredible the story became.
Steven Spielberg met with her while doing research on Schindler’s List. She spoke four languages, even more amazing considering the vast repertoire of songs she’d memorized. Her friends talked about how powerful an influence her music had on them as prisoners. How it hardened their resolve and gave them hope.
For all of them, surviving a concentration camp had become a second chance at life, one that brought a sense of appreciation few experience. It was life-changing, hearing these stories and the wisdom that had stemmed from them. Unforgettable little bits like “put as much as you can in your head because no one can take that away from you” and “few things matter in life, your health and human interaction, nothing else really matters.”
Several months later, I spent some time alone with Alice. Looking for more insight into her old age, I asked her what I now realize were “shallow” questions.
“What do you eat?” I asked, thinking there was some magic food source, to which she replied Meals on Wheels, and then described to me how the service worked. Clearly diet wasn’t behind her vigor, nor was it the reason she was always laughing.
I often think about what I learned from my experiences making a documentary with and about Alice.
For starters, the human brain is remarkable. It causes stress, love, hate, and worry. Yet with practice it can focus only on good. When it’s not focused on the positive, important energy is being wasted. Energy which is limited, and burnt, by stressing and worrying.
I learned we need to be more involved with our families at home. We must be awake and share experiences with our children. For Alice, the atmosphere in the home is more important than the one at school. In a time where every country in the world is fretting over less money for schooling, it makes sense we should instill a sense of wonder and learning at home.
We owe it to our children to watch more documentaries. Kids all over the world grow up on superheroes. What we, their parents, must remind them, is documentaries tell stories about real superheroes. Superheroes are based on great people, real people, like Alice Herz Sommer. The best documentaries are about great people who have made a difference. They know the first step to change is very powerful. We should all follow that mantra!
As a family, why not pledge to watch one documentary a week? Start by working your way through the Oscar nominated films. It doesn’t get any better than that.
By the time I had finished my visit with her, I couldn’t help feeling I hadn’t done enough to grow as a person or to help others. Alice Herz Sommer is the type of person you walk away from thinking “I am not worthy.”
Was I doing my bit to make the world a better place?
Perhaps the most important lesson I learned was Alice’s example should be followed, rather than used as a comparison for myself. Thank you, Alice, for teaching us all such important lessons on living. Happier and healthier.
“The Lady in Number 6” Trailer
Please visit “The Lady in Number 6″ website
Photo Credits
All Photos Courtesy Of Nick Reed
Guest Author Bio
Nick Reed
Producer of “The Lady in Number 6”, Nick Reed segued into the world of marketing before embarking on a Hollywood career. He began as an actor on films directed by Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola, then joined mega-talent agency, International Creative Management, eventually heading up its Motion Picture Literary Department.
He has been involved with successful films including My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Elizabeth, Training Day, and the Bourne series.
Blog / Website: Nick Reed
Follow Nick Reed: Vimeo
Steve says
Carpe diem …. seize the day as Alice has every day, finding something to inspire, to smile, to enjoy, to live!
Jeannie says
“The Lady in Number 6.” Already I’m hungry for more and can’t wait to see this documentary! Thank you,
Nick, for beautifully sharing your own personal journey. How fortunate for all of us that someone who is in a position to affect many lives is making such upbeat choices! In reading your story of the re-creation of Alice Herz Sommer and your resolve… you, too, are an inspiration!
Gab says
I love wonderful, positive, amazing people like this. Thank you for sharing.
Teresa Sullivan says
“We were dancing under the Gallows.”
A touching tribute, to a beautiful woman and true inspiration!
Vincent Ross says
A wonderful story and a good read. Thanks for that Nick. I know from more than 30 years of working in journalism and newspapers that these kinds of stories are few and far between and much also depends on the writers ability to effectively interpret both situations and personalities.
You have shone a beam of light through the prism of our minds and we have been fortunate to be able to capture some of the “colour” of Alice.
Thanks for that.
Shannon Grissom says
What a beautiful story! Oh yes, you are doing your part. More than your part… Thank you so much!
Wanda Lambeth says
I have an incredible longing to spend more time watching and listening to Alice. Her courage, inspiration and unabashed love for music and God is uplifting and a great lesson in life. I am looking forward to seeing the documentary and thank you from the bottom of my heart Nick for introducing her to the world. Alice is a rare treasure and it would have been a shame to have missed her.
NICK REED says
Thanks ladies and gents, for your comments about the documentary, perhaps you can help on stage 2 of my Alice adventure and help me get 1 million birthday wishes for Alice’s 110 birthday on November 26th. Please get your friends to click on this link to wish her Happy Birthday http://goo.gl/WNXYaH
best nick reed
Tess Wixted says
NIck, thank you for bringing Alice’s story to us all .”Music is god.” What an delicious quote! Her smile, her stories, her friends open a door for us to witness what is good and right in the world. Documentaries like “The Lady in Number 6” are a vista for seeing how others walk through this life and a chance to share their steps.
With gratitude for your vision and for Alice’s brilliant passion for life. And music.
Ross Lonergan says
Cannot wait to see this inspiring woman in your documentary. Thank you for bringing her remarkable life and spirit into the world at large.
David Knapp-Fisher says
What an incredible story; Alice’s outlook on life, music, everything is a rare glance at an optimism we barely get to see anymore. Thank you so much for bringing her story forward for us all to appreciate Nick, I know everyone who reads it, is glad you did.
George Burden says
Buddha told us that how we manage our perceptions can change our lives. Alice seems to have made this amazing discovery on her own initiative and has demonstrated it to others by example. No one other than ourselves has the ability to bring about happiness…it is a choice, not happenstance. The power of the documentary is that while limited numbers of individuals can benefit from directly experiencing amazing people like Alice, millions can do so through the power of effectively managed media. Thank you Nick Reed for introducing me to this lovely and talented lady.
Catherine Novak says
Thank you Nick, for sharing Alice Herz Sommer’s wisdom and joy in life, which may well be the same thing. I also admire your goal of making one documentary a year. It’s an excellent, life-improving way to spend your life. I hope that you always find a good audience for the docs! I’ll certainly be on the lookout for them.
Lorne Daniel says
This is the kind of story that we depend on documentary makers and Life As A Human to bring to our attention. Inspiring. Thanks for sharing Alice’s story.
Gil Namur says
Hi Nick,
Thank you for sharing this with us. Alice is truly remarkable and an inspiration to us all.
What a an amazing journey for you!
Truly, your work does make the world a better place … IMHO 🙂
Cheers,
Gil
Martha says
A great story and a great woman! Very inspiring and so true, we tend to focus on all the negative instead of on what is beautiful…..such as music. Incredible and thought provoking article. I will be sure to look for the movie!