Finding Manny

“Finding Manny” is a story of optimism—one of the many unexpected discoveries that inspired me to tell this story.

It started by accident, in the spring of 2017. I received a phone call from the wife of a friend looking for a favour. Cindy was travelling to Toronto to visit her father, Manny Drukier, who planned to open a 70-year-old box of photos from his time during WWII—photos the family had never seen before. Cindy asked if I could document the occasion, in case her dad shared stories they hadn’t heard either.

Within a few days of the initial filming, Manny Drukier was in touch with Holocaust researcher, Anna Andlauer, who invited him to visit Germany to give a presentation at his former orphanage, which has since become a grade school. It was at this point that my instincts kicked in, realizing that this was a documentary in the making.

Over the next few months, plans for a trip started coming together as different family members came on board. Soon, Manny’s wife, four children, and two grandchildren made arrangements to go, but one important person hadn’t signed on yet—Manny. Cindy, now one of the film’s producers, was feeling pessimistic, but also understood his reluctance. He was 89 and was being asked to go back to Germany, the scene of the horror.

Then Manny, true to his character, changed his mind.

The film gives viewers a fly on the wall experience following Manny retracing his steps and reliving painful moments from his past. As he bears witness to this dark chapter in history we learn that he is a living symbol of hope and the ability to overcome … a survivor in the truest sense.

Director's bio

Viewing the medium of documentary as a powerful tool to stimulate dialogue around social issues—Kacey’s approach is born from the belief that the most powerful stories are told through the eyes of those who have lived them.

Director (3 Credits)

Producer (2 Credits)

Awards