Holocaust Survivor Leon Weintraub Captured at Volucap Studio

Potsdam, November 15, 2024 – After appearing as a protagonist in the documentary VR experience “In Real Life?”, Holocaust survivor Leon Weintraub returned to the Volucap Studio to share more of his life story – an enduring testament to human resilience and the importance of remembrance – for a project by the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF.

Leon Weintraub, born on January 1, 1926, in Łódź, Poland, endured unspeakable horrors during World War II. As a young man, he survived the Litzmannstadt Ghetto and multiple concentration camps, including Auschwitz-Birkenau, Groß-Rosen, Flossenbürg, and Natzweiler-Struthof. Despite these unimaginable experiences, he rebuilt his life, becoming a renowned physician and educator. Now retired, Weintraub is committed to Holocaust education, ensuring that the lessons of this tragic chapter in history remain vivid and impactful for generations to come.

Why Capturing Stories in Volumetric Format Matters

Capturing Leon Weintraub’s testimony in Volucap’s volumetric capture studio marks a groundbreaking advancement in how we document and preserve history. While traditional formats like text, audio, and video have long served to record the voices of Holocaust survivors, volumetric capture offers an unparalleled, immersive way to safeguard these vital narratives. This technology allows for a deeply engaging experience, preserving not just words but the gestures, expressions, and presence of survivors in a three-dimensional format.

As time passes and the number of living Holocaust survivors decreases, the urgency to preserve their stories grows. Volumetric recordings ensure that these testimonies remain accessible and impactful, even decades into the future, providing a bridge between generations and fostering empathy and understanding in ways that static formats cannot. The lifelike quality of volumetric captures allows future audiences to experience these stories as though they are engaging directly with the survivors, bringing history to life in an emotionally resonant and authentic way.

These recordings also open new possibilities for education by integrating seamlessly into virtual and augmented reality platforms. By creating interactive environments, they enable students, educators, and the wider public to connect with survivors’ stories in ways that transcend traditional learning methods. The experience of “speaking” with a Holocaust survivor, even in a virtual sense, transforms historical education into a profoundly personal encounter.

Moreover, the vivid authenticity of volumetric captures serves as a powerful counter to Holocaust denial. The tangible, lifelike presence of survivors in these recordings reinforces the undeniable truth of their experiences, making it far harder for anyone to distort or dismiss this history. By preserving these stories in such an innovative format, we ensure that the voices of Holocaust survivors remain a guiding light for truth, remembrance, and humanity’s commitment to never forget.

Volucap’s Role in Safeguarding Memory

For Volucap, the opportunity to capture Leon Weintraub’s story represents more than just technological achievement – it’s a profound responsibility. Our mission is to ensure that these stories endure, preserving not only the facts but the humanity of those who lived through them.

Through this project, Volucap reinforces the importance of using cutting-edge technology to preserve history, amplify marginalized voices, and educate future generations. As Leon Weintraub’s story lives on in volumetric form, it will continue to inspire, educate, and remind us of the enduring need to stand against hatred and uphold human dignity.

This extraordinary effort aligns with Volucap’s commitment to leveraging innovation for meaningful impact. By preserving Leon Weintraub’s legacy, we ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust remain vivid and relevant for all who seek to learn from the past and build a better future.