Nesjomme

Nesjomme follows the fictional character Rusha, a young Jewish woman in Amsterdam during the period between the two world wars. Her story, based on real testimonies and historical facts, is told through letters to her brother Max, who emigrated to the Dutch East Indies. In these letters, she describes her life in the Jewish Quarter, her family, and the changes in the city.

The film weaves together archival footage with Rusha's stories, creating a colorful and poignant portrait of the Jewish community in the interwar period. From proud diamond workers, shady traders, and popular cabaret performers to social reformers like councilor De Miranda, to the entrepreneurs behind icons such as De Bijenkorf and Tuschinski, Nesjomme showcases the rich contribution of the Jewish community to Amsterdam. The optimism after World War I is tested by economic depression, the rise of fascism, and World War II. Against this backdrop, Rusha grows from a young girl into an independent woman who must make her own choices.

Nesjomme is not only a remembrance of a lost past but also a tribute to the Jewish soul of Amsterdam: the nesjomme.