About
The Film
Sweet Lorraine in Auschwitz follows the harrowing journey of Frank (Miša) Grunwald, a ten-year-old boy whose life was upended when the Nazis invaded Czechoslovakia. Once surrounded by music and a loving family, Frank was thrust into a world of unimaginable terror. Separated from his family and forced into five different concentration camps, Frank’s only escape was through the music he cherished. At age 89, Frank recounts his incredible tale of endurance, loss, and survival, playing the same American jazz on his piano accordion that sustained him during his darkest days. This moving documentary explores the triumph of the human spirit, showing how hope and resilience can flourish even in the most unimaginable circumstances.
Filmmakers Philip Paluso and Amber Maze traveled across Europe, retracing Frank’s steps and filming at the locations that shaped his survival, including Mauthausen, Terezín, and Auschwitz. Adding to the authenticity, they captured the raw, powerful settings where Frank’s story unfolded, offering viewers a deeply personal and immersive connection to his journey.
The documentary is currently in post-production and is set for release in October 2025. The film will be submitted to multiple film festivals and available for public screenings late 2025 to early 2026.
About Frank
Frank (Miša) Grunwald was born in 1932 in Olomouc, Czechoslovakia, where he spent his early childhood surrounded by family and immersed in music and art. His life took a dramatic turn during World War II when he and his family were caught in the grip of the Nazi occupation. Frank’s journey led him through five concentration camps, an experience that shaped his life and became central to his powerful story of survival, resilience, and hope.
After the war, Frank escaped communist Czechoslovakia in 1949 and eventually made his way to the United States, where he built a successful career in industrial design, working for companies like General Electric and Thomson Multimedia. His lifelong passion for art and music remained with him throughout his journey, and he later became a frequent speaker, sharing his personal story with audiences worldwide.
Frank’s life was defined by his enduring love for his family, his art, and his music—a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Interviews
Galit Gertsenzon, PhD, Ball State University
Brent M. Blackwell, PhD, Ball State University
Joe Filipow, Professional Musician
Eileen M. Angelini, PhD, Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques
Piotr Setkiewicz, PhD, Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum
Mahulena Červená, Memorial of Silence
Kelley Szaney, Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center
Special thanks to Tomáš Vach, Łukasz Lipiński, Angelika and Kurt Schlakl, Marcus Steiner, and Phil Manning.
Sweet Lorraine in Auschwitz 