A woman's wartime secrets are finally coming to light in a powerful new documentary that uncovers the shocking truth behind her mother's hidden identity. The film, titled "My Underground Mother," tells the story of Marisa Fox, who as a teenager was part of a radical Jewish underground group that fought against the British army in Palestine during World War II.
As the daughter of this woman, journalist Marisa Fox had always been fascinated by her mother's stories, but she began to question their accuracy when she realized certain parts didn't add up. Her mother would often boast about her bravery as a spy and saboteur, but Fox couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't quite right.
It wasn't until 2010, when Fox was having tea with an elderly great-aunt who suffered from dementia, that she received her first glimpse of the truth. The great-aunt blurted out that Fox's mother had a hidden identity, warning her that she wouldn't be happy with what she found.
Through relentless sleuthing over 15 years, Fox uncovered a tale that was even more dramatic and troubling than the one she had always been fed. She discovered that her mother had lied to everyone in her adult life about key information, including her true age, name, and the fact that she had lived in Poland for the entire duration of the war.
Fox's journey took her around the world, tracking down scores of women who had also been at Gabersdorf, a forced labor camp where many teenage girls were imprisoned and made to work back-breaking shifts. These women shared their harrowing testimonies, revealing the horrors they experienced, including rape, murder, and human trafficking.
One of the most shocking aspects of the story is how Fox's mother, who had always seen herself as a freedom fighter, was actually involved in the Nazi regime, smuggling bombs and guns to aid the Nazis. She later joined an insurrectionist movement that had a hand in the creation of the state of Israel, but her role in this movement has been largely erased from history.
The documentary also sheds light on the darker side of the war, including the rape and murder of women by the Nazis and their collaborators. Fox's mother was one of the many women who were subjected to these atrocities, and her experience is a poignant reminder of the trauma that many survivors endured.
Despite her mother's efforts to conceal her past, Fox has chosen to tell her story, not just for her own sake but also for those who have been silenced or marginalized. "Shame needs to change sides," she says. "The shame doesn't belong to the women. It belongs to the men who did this to them."
As the film's director and writer, Fox has poured her heart and soul into uncovering the truth about her mother's past. The result is a powerful and moving documentary that will leave viewers shaken but also hopeful.
As the daughter of this woman, journalist Marisa Fox had always been fascinated by her mother's stories, but she began to question their accuracy when she realized certain parts didn't add up. Her mother would often boast about her bravery as a spy and saboteur, but Fox couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't quite right.
It wasn't until 2010, when Fox was having tea with an elderly great-aunt who suffered from dementia, that she received her first glimpse of the truth. The great-aunt blurted out that Fox's mother had a hidden identity, warning her that she wouldn't be happy with what she found.
Through relentless sleuthing over 15 years, Fox uncovered a tale that was even more dramatic and troubling than the one she had always been fed. She discovered that her mother had lied to everyone in her adult life about key information, including her true age, name, and the fact that she had lived in Poland for the entire duration of the war.
Fox's journey took her around the world, tracking down scores of women who had also been at Gabersdorf, a forced labor camp where many teenage girls were imprisoned and made to work back-breaking shifts. These women shared their harrowing testimonies, revealing the horrors they experienced, including rape, murder, and human trafficking.
One of the most shocking aspects of the story is how Fox's mother, who had always seen herself as a freedom fighter, was actually involved in the Nazi regime, smuggling bombs and guns to aid the Nazis. She later joined an insurrectionist movement that had a hand in the creation of the state of Israel, but her role in this movement has been largely erased from history.
The documentary also sheds light on the darker side of the war, including the rape and murder of women by the Nazis and their collaborators. Fox's mother was one of the many women who were subjected to these atrocities, and her experience is a poignant reminder of the trauma that many survivors endured.
Despite her mother's efforts to conceal her past, Fox has chosen to tell her story, not just for her own sake but also for those who have been silenced or marginalized. "Shame needs to change sides," she says. "The shame doesn't belong to the women. It belongs to the men who did this to them."
As the film's director and writer, Fox has poured her heart and soul into uncovering the truth about her mother's past. The result is a powerful and moving documentary that will leave viewers shaken but also hopeful.
. I think it's amazing that she finally found the courage to confront the truth and tell her mom's story, even if it was a tough pill to swallow 
. Her mom's actions are definitely shocking and disturbing, but you have to feel sorry for her too - she was just trying to survive in a time of war and trauma 
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. It's not easy to watch, but it's so important that we remember and honor these stories. Marisa Fox is doing a brave thing by sharing her mom's story, and I think it's going to spark some really important conversations about the past and how we can work towards a more compassionate and just future 
people need to know the truth about their family histories no matter how painful it may be 
the fact that women were subjected to these atrocities and silenced ever since is a stain on humanity's history it's time to shed light on these dark chapters of our past so we can learn from them 
OMG, have you seen the latest stats on Holocaust survivors? 
And did you know that 70% of these women went on to experience PTSD and depression afterwards? 
. The film highlights how Marisa Fox uncovered her mother's hidden identity, which involved lying about her age, name, and even being part of the Nazi regime 
Yeah, that's a whole different level of uncomfortable. And the fact that her role in the creation of Israel has been erased from history is just wild 
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. We need to keep sharing stories like Fox's and shine a light on the darker side of history 
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Those who were forced to live in secrecy and silence for so long deserve to have their stories finally told. It takes immense courage to confront the truth about one's own family history, especially when it's been hidden or distorted. I think this documentary is a testament to the power of bravery and determination.
this doco sounds super intense, i mean who knew their own mum was hiding such dark secrets? 
. But at the same time, you can't help but be like, "wow, how did she get away with all that?" 
It's just crazy.
I feel bad for all the women who were forced into labor camps and experienced such trauma they're not even remembered by history 
it's like our understanding of WW2 is so wrong we've been told these women were heroes when really they were just victims 
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. I can imagine it's not easy for Marisa to confront all this, but at least she's doing her research and trying to get to the truth 
I'm seriously gonna have to watch this docu, sounds like a total wild ride. 
. Marisa Fox's bravery in sharing her mom's story is definitely inspiring 
. I think it's super brave of her daughter to expose this and bring attention to the women who were silenced or marginalized 
. The fact that Marisa Fox is telling her own mom's story instead of covering it up is like, totally empowering 
.