Aron Attiwell’s ‘Fading Numbers’ brings Holocaust stories to the surface

Stories of survival from one of history’s darkest chapters will be brought to life in a new project which is designed to educate more than entertain.

Proof-of-concept short Fading Numbers features eight real-life recollections of the Holocaust, with characters based on those that have shared their personal experiences.

The various stages of the genocide are witnessed through the protagonist Irene, whose interactions shine a light on other stories from the time.

The short has wrapped filming in WA, where it was shot predominately in Mandurah across seven days.

At the helm is 20-year-old writer/director Aron Attiwell, who has been working on the project for the better part of two years.

He said the inspiration for the film came from a visit to the Holocaust Institute of WA during his final year of high school.

“Hearing the stories of survivors really struck a nerve with me and made me want to share them to an Australian market,” he told IF.

“I felt there was a need to further develop Holocaust education in Australia, not just among students, but with society as a whole.

“There are events happening around us that are comparable to those that happened 75 years ago, so that was part of my ambition.”

Read the article by Sean Slatter in IF.