We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Thomas Biebers a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Thomas, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

I started my film career in front of the camera, but as I got older I wanted to do more behind the camera. So in 2017 I was hired by a Las Vegas based production company to work as a producer and content developer. It was during this time, that I came up with a concept for a new documentary series.

I am the son of a Holocaust survivor, or as we call it the second generation. In 2014 we began to write a book about my fathers experiences during the Holocaust (he fought in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprisings). He seldom talked about the Holocaust, but when he did it would be about the Uprisings and how he despised the way the Jews are portrayed in Hollywood films about the Holocaust. Seldom do the stories tell what really happened.

So, I had wanted to do a documentary about his life. Sadly, he became ill, and died prior to filming. We were able to finish the book however. Not Without A Fight was published in 2017.

One day, my wife came across an article in a local newspaper here in Murrieta, California. It mentioned that there was a Holocaust March of Remembrance going on one Sunday. So, I attended, listened to the production, then introduced myself to event organizers and explained my background. I soon found myself lecturing on my fathers story and promoting the book.

I was then introduced to other Holocaust survivors, and the motivation to tell their stories on camera became first and foremost on my mind. However, everytime I was planning to film them, they would pass away. One day I sat with the organizer of the March or Remembrance and shared with him my frustration. He suggested that I interview the second and third generation of Holocaust survivors. Since he heard me speak in the past about my father, he thought that the children and grandchildren of survivors might be able to do the same.

I came home, shared what was suggested with my wife Teresa. In the beginning I did not think the idea would work. After all who would listen to us, as we did not actually experience the Holocaust.

My wife, who is Catholic, and very close to my father, had joined a Facebook group called “Grandchildren of Holocaust Survivors”. So, I too joined, and shared the idea. We had over 5,000 Emails come in from people all over the world. From Mexico to Australia. From Germany to South Africa, and all regions of the United States. There were children and grandchildren of survivors who really wanted to share their families stories.

So my wife and I came up with the name “Generation to Generation.” I approached the owner of the company I was working for, and they passed on the idea. So I broke away, and along with my wife started our own production company called B to B Productions LLC (my sir name is Biebers and my wife’s family name is Bungay).

We have since produced a pilot episode, one feature film, and we have several others in various stages of production. One was sponsored by Cypress College near Anaheim, California. We are getting ready to film an episode sponsored by Duke University. We have won three film festival awards for the first two episodes.

Now you may ask how are films about the Holocaust relevant today? Since doing this series, and talking with countless children and grandchildren of survivors, and on occasion actual survivors, I can assure you that the way the world has not learned the lessons from the past. The more I learned the more I new we would succeed in our mission.

Thomas, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I explained a lot of that in the previous question. Specifically I wanted to create documentaries that everyone can relate too. In terms of Generation to Generation, each episode is a stand alone film, with their own titles.

B and B Productions LLC however is a full service production company. The proceeds from every commercial produced, actors reel created, film created, goes to helping us financially produce more episodes of Generation to Generation.

I am also very proud of the diversity of our team. When assembling a film crew, we look to provide a step up to those who need assistance in opening doors. While experience is always a plus, what we seek is people who have a desire to learn how the film industry works. Since we are a small team, most who join us have the opportunity to learn many aspects of the business.

Finally Generation to Generation is not just a series about the Jewish Holocaust. We want to educate everyone what can happen when racism and hatred at levels is allowed to foster.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

“When survivors knew they would not make it, their last wish was for those who would survive to tell their stories. Let future generations know that they lived”….

The above is a line from the opening narration for Generation to Generation. To me it summarizes why I do what I do. During the Holocaust 6 million people were murdered. 1.5. million were children. Their only crime was that they were Jewish. By telling the stories of those who survived, the voices of those lost will never be silent.

That is why I do what I do.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

My co-creator of the series is my wife, Teresa. I would not have made it this far without her support. I would also like to recognize my mother who introduced me to the performing arts.

Of course my father, Casimir “Cass” Bieberstein; Holocaust Survivor.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bandbproductionsllc.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bandbproductionsllc/
• Youtube: B and B Network
• Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
All images courtesy of Thomas Biebers.