“My Underground Mother” Documentary Reveals WWII Story of Survival

In a poignant new documentary titled My Underground Mother, journalist Marisa Fox uncovers the long-hidden WWII past of her late mother, who spent much of her life concealing a harrowing history of survival. The film reveals the complexities of her mother’s secret identity and the trauma she endured during the war, offering a powerful exploration of shame, resilience, and the hidden truths many survivors carry.

A Hidden WWII Past: A Journey of Discovery

For years, Marisa Fox was captivated by the dramatic tales her mother, Hela Hocherman, shared about her youth in pre-war Poland. Her mother often spoke of being a heroic member of an underground Jewish resistance group in Palestine, participating in daring acts of espionage against the British authorities. But as a young girl, Fox began to notice inconsistencies in the stories, with key details not adding up.

Her mother’s reluctance to answer certain questions only fueled Fox’s curiosity, but it wasn’t until the early 2000s that she began to uncover the truth. During a visit to her elderly great-aunt, Fox was given an unexpected clue when the aunt, suffering from dementia, casually revealed, “Your mother had a hidden identity.”

The Truth Unfolds: The Survivor’s Secrets

Through relentless investigation over 15 years, Fox unearthed startling revelations about her mother’s wartime past. Contrary to the stories of heroism, Hela had actually lived through much of the war in Poland, spending her teenage years in a forced labor camp named Gabersdorf, not in Palestine. Fox discovered that her mother had lied about her true age, name, and her experiences during the war, all of which she had kept secret from her family and the public.

The documentary, which includes interviews with survivors and heartbreaking testimonies, explores Hela’s life in Gabersdorf, where she and other young girls were subjected to grueling labor. Fox also reveals a journal kept by the girls during their imprisonment, documenting their hopes, fears, and the horrors they faced. Fox’s mother, despite her traumatic experiences, had an unwavering will to survive, as shown in the journal entries that depict a young girl dreaming of defiance and escape.

Complex Relationships and Trauma

As Fox delves deeper into her mother’s past, she uncovers more about the relationships her mother formed with other women in the camp. These bonds, forged in the direst of circumstances, played a crucial role in their survival. The film highlights the complexities of trauma, as many of these women, now in their 80s and 90s, struggled to reconcile the love and betrayal they felt after learning about Hela’s deception.

The documentary does not shy away from difficult topics, including the sexual abuse many girls endured during their imprisonment. The film provides a harrowing look at how these girls were exploited by both Nazi soldiers and later by Russian liberators after the war. Fox’s careful examination of this dark part of her mother’s history reveals the deep shame that often follows such experiences, and the complicated ways survivors cope with trauma.

Legacy of Shame and Survival

“My Underground Mother” is not just a personal exploration of Fox’s family history but a broader reflection on how women’s stories during WWII have often been silenced or distorted. Fox’s mother, who sought to protect herself and her family from the shame of her past, never fully reconciled with the traumatic experiences she endured. Her mother’s fear of being labeled a victim led to her hiding the truth about her survival and the horrors she faced.

The film poignantly explores the shame that many Holocaust survivors carried with them throughout their lives. Fox argues that this shame is misplaced—it should be shifted away from the survivors and placed on those who caused the suffering. By sharing her mother’s story, Fox hopes to help other survivors come to terms with their past and find peace.

Uncovering the Past to Heal the Future

In My Underground Mother, Marisa Fox not only uncovers the hidden history of her mother but also offers a deeply personal meditation on the long-lasting effects of trauma and the complexities of survival. This documentary is a powerful reminder of the untold stories of women during WWII, and the lasting impact of those stories on future generations.