Willem & Frieda

International Premiere

Legendary screen actor Stephen Fry (Gosford Park, The Hobbit) lovingly brings to life the incredible and inspiring adventures of two forgotten war heroes, whose anti-Nazi resistance and all-night forgery parties saved thousands of Jews. Willem Arondeus, an openly gay artist in an era when such openness was rare, and Frieda Belinfante, a well-connected musician who broke barriers as the first woman to lead an orchestra, are the focal points in the film.

In the critically acclaimed documentary, we learn of their early lives and the selfless decisions that informed their devotion to the anti-Nazi cause, often at great personal risk. The extraordinary lives of Willem and Frieda are unveiled gradually through a combination of rarely seen archive footage, carefully curated photographs, and interviews with experts, journalists, and family members. Through the story of Willem and Frieda, we also find irrefutable proof that in Amsterdam during WWII, gay men and lesbians were prepared to risk their lives to fight Nazi tyranny and help its victims, particularly Jews. At first, Willem and Frieda began forging identity papers for Jews living in the Netherlands under occupation. But when the Nazis began checking the false papers against centrally held duplicate records, they came up with a daring plan to blow up the Central Records Office, destroying the records without harming anyone.

In this enlightening documentary, Stephen Fry serves as a passionate and informative narrator, guiding viewers through this vital and emotionally charged historical record that stands as a testament to the bravery of LGBTQ+ community members who fearlessly opposed the Nazis, leaving an indelible mark on history.

Accompanying the film premiere is a special introduction by seven-time BAFTA-nominated actor, Stephen Fry, as well as a discussion with director John Hay and Stephen Fry. To view the conversation please click here.