Žanis
A multi-plot documentary made for virtual reality
About Žanis Lipke
Žanis Lipke was a Latvian dockworker and bootlegger who rescued over 50 people from the Nazis during the Holocaust. He established a network of hidden bunkers to keep them safe until the end of the war.
About Žanis Lipke
Žanis Lipke was a Latvian dockworker and bootlegger who rescued over 50 people from the Nazis during the Holocaust. He established a network of hidden bunkers to keep them safe until the end of the war.
Hanna's Story
Hanna's Story” is the first chapter, detailing the experience of Hanna Stern. She was deported at age six with her mother and brother from Berlin to the Riga Ghetto. While imprisoned at the Kaiserwald Concentration Camp, Žanis staged a complex rescue operation, hiding them until the end of the Holocaust.
Hanna's Story
"Hanna's Story” is the first chapter of the project. It tells the story of Hanna Stern, who was six years old when she was deported from Berlin to the Riga Ghetto in Latvia with her mother and older brother Jakob. After Jakob was killed during the Ghetto's Liquidation, Hanna and her mother were transferred to the Kaiserwald Concentration Camp. Hanna's mother made contact with Žanis, who staged a complex escape operation, hiding them in a countryside bunker until the end of the Holocaust.
The story is based on a letter Hanna's mother wrote to the West German War Claims Office, which documents her family’s experience and Hanna's heroic rescue by Žanis Lipke. The chapter is narrated by Hanna’s daughter, Ilanna Avimor.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
"Žanis” is a mobile, immersive experience using VR, projections and 360º surround sound to bring the story of Žanis Lipke and the people he rescued to museums, schools and events throughout the world.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
"Žanis” is a mobile, immersive experience using VR, projections and 360º surround sound to bring the story of Žanis Lipke and the people he rescued to museums, schools and events throughout the world.
HAND-DRAWN ILLUSTRATIONS
The story of Žanis and the people he rescued is told through hand-drawn animations. They are inspired by charcoal sketches made by artists in the Riga Ghetto.
HAND-DRAWN ILLUSTRATIONS
The story of Žanis and the people he rescued is told through hand-drawn animations. They are inspired by charcoal sketches made by artists in the Riga Ghetto.
VR STILL: ESCAPING KAISERWALD
The still captures Hanna’s train journey from Berlin to the Šķirotava train station. The scene uses an optimized-for-VR version of the scan from before.
VR STILL: ESCAPING KAISERWALD
The still captures Hanna’s train journey from Berlin to the Šķirotava train station. The scene uses an optimized-for-VR version of the scan from before.
IMMERSIVE ENVIRONMENTS
The world of the story is created using an array of 3D modeling and scanning techniques. Archival photography and 3D scanning of preserved structures are used to create realistic, three-dimensional environments. The photo shows the 3D scanning process of the Skirotava train station, the arrival point for Jews from Germany and Austria before their imprisonment at the Riga Ghetto.
IMMERSIVE ENVIRONMENTS
The world of the story is created using an array of 3D modeling and scanning techniques. Archival photography and 3D scanning of preserved structures are used to create realistic, three-dimensional environments. The photo shows the 3D scanning process of the Skirotava train station, the arrival point for Jews from Germany and Austria before their imprisonment at the Riga Ghetto.
VR STILL: ARRIVAL AT ŠĶIROTAVA
The still captures Hanna’s train journey from Berlin to the Šķirotava train station. The scene uses an optimized-for-VR version of the scan from before.
VR STILL: ARRIVAL AT ŠĶIROTAVA
TThe still captures Hanna’s train journey from Berlin to the Šķirotava train station. The scene uses an optimized-for-VR version of the scan from before.
MUSIC AND SOUND DESIGN
The soundtrack features original scores by Andy Thompson, Brack Herfurth, and James Cooper, as well as music created by songwriters who lived in the Riga Ghetto.
MUSIC AND SOUND DESIGN
The soundtrack features original scores by Andy Thompson, Brack Herfurth, and James Cooper, as well as music created by songwriters who lived in the Riga Ghetto.
VR STILL: RIGA GHETTO
As users travel down a street in the Riga Ghetto, they will hear a song that was given to a Holocaust survivor.
VR STILL: RIGA GHETTO
As users travel down a street in the Riga Ghetto, they will hear a song that was given to a Holocaust survivor.
GET IN TOUCH
For more information on how you can support Žanis, or to learn how you can bring this virtual experience to your school, museum or event, please contact zanisvrdoc@gmail.com
Žanis is a project of Twin Cities Tracks, a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to produce educational stories through documentaries and technology. Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
GET IN TOUCH
For more information on how you can support Žanis, or to learn how you can bring this virtual experience to your school, museum or event, please contact zanisvrdoc@gmail.com
Žanis is a project of Twin Cities Tracks, a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to produce educational stories through documentaries and technology. Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.