Cuba's Forgotten Jewels Film Screening In-Person
View the documentary film, "Cuba’s Forgotten Jewels", the story of World War II Jewish refugees escaping Nazi-occupied Europe who found safety and acceptance on the Island of Cuba.
Run time 46 min.
After the film, enjoy time for Q&A with Marion Kreith, the inspiration for the film, and co-director Judy Kreith.
Synopsis:
Marion Kreith was fourteen when she and her family fled Nazi-occupied Europe and sailed across the
Atlantic Ocean to safety in Cuba. Refugees who made it to Havana, including young Marion, found
work to support themselves and their families in a newly transported trade: diamond polishing.
Firsthand survivor accounts take us back to 1940s Havana – an era at once tumultuous,
heartbreaking, and intoxicating – to reveal an immigration success story.
Boulder Public Library would like to thank everyone who has generously donated to the Boulder Library Foundation. Your financial support provides funding for library programs, services and facilities that help the people of Boulder develop and grow.
- Date:
- Friday, Oct 10 2025
- Time:
- 2:00pm - 3:30pm
- Location:
- Canyon Theater, Main Library
- Audience:
- Ages 18+ All ages
- Categories:
- Film Performances & Presentations
About the Directors:
Robin Truesdale Co-Director, Co-Producer, Cinematographer, Editor, Writer.
With her experience as an independent filmmaker, Ms. Truesdale guides the production and
contributes her creative expertise. She is the founder of Two Hands Films. She has directed,
produced, and edited films that have screened at festivals and conferences worldwide, including A
Beautiful Equation: Einstein, Bohr and Grandmothers, a 2015 Platinum Remi Award winner. Robin
began her career as a news editor for a Denver television station. After years of constructing news
and educational stories through video, she was introduced to documentary film’s powerful potential to
communicate deeper stories about people, cultures, and issues of the times. Her work deals primarily
with social justice, cultural, and humanitarian issues. Robin received her MS Degree in Journalism
from the University of Colorado. http://robintruesdale.com/
Robin’s Film awards: A Beautiful Equation - Best International Film, Sunrise FF, Nova Scotia 2015
Platinum Remi, Houston Worldfest 2015; Conviction - Must See Award, Telluride Mountainfilm 2006
People’s Choice, Frozen River FF 2007
Judy Kreith Co-Director, Co- Producer, Researcher, Writer.
Ms. Kreith is a professional dance educator and choreographer. She received her MA Degree from
Stanford University. Her mother, Marion Finkels Kreith, is the key inspiration for this film. Judy has
extensively studied Cuban dance and while in Cuba, began research into the Jewish refugees’
diamond polishing industry that flourished in Havana during the Second World War, working on- site
with Cuban historians. Judy contributes her extensive research and knowledge, along with her
personal connection and passion for this project and its potential impact. She has spoken on this
topic to many groups, including a recent conference at the University of Antwerp, Belgium.
http://jakdance.com/
Music Team:
Vince Cherico is the Music Supervisor. As a four-time Grammy winner and accomplished drummer,
he contributes an extensive understanding of both classical and Cuban compositions and has a
professional understanding of music performance and licensing. http://www.vincecherico.com/
Kip Kuepper is the Composer for the original score. Kip is a Grammy-nominated musician and
founding partner of Coupe Studios Music, Inc. He is a Composer and Sound Designer for film and
television. http://coupestudios.com/crew/kip-kuepper/
Cast:
Marion Frolich
Richard Grosbard
Marion Finkels Kreith
Felicia Rosshandler
Lilliane Shuman
William Safran