Occasional Spies + Q&A | Making Waves

New York Premiere

Facing a shortage of skilled agents for a daring rescue mission in occupied Eastern Europe, the Allies turned to a resourceful group of Jewish immigrants who had fled Nazi persecution and arrived in Palestine. These individuals, fluent in the local languages and familiar with the customs, were ideally suited for the task. Trained in Egypt by MI9, they infiltrated Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and Romania to locate Allied prisoners of war and support resistance movements. Due to limited archival footage, Oana Giurgiu delivers the story through a series of still images from reenactments with actors. It’s an innovative approach that effectively creates a sense of watching a live-action film. Shedding light on a lesser-known chapter of WWII, this creative documentary celebrates the unwavering courage of these unlikely heroes who found themselves thrust into the world of espionage.

Q&A with director Oana Bujgoi Giurgiu following screening.