WATERMARKS

It might surprise many who view Yaron Zilberman's documentary that even in early-1900s Austria, Jews were being persecuted considerably. Austrian sports clubs, for instance, excluded Jews; as a result, the now-legendary Jewish Hakoah sports club of Vienna was founded, and grew into one of the continent's largest and most accomplished. Hakoah's swim team was especially skilled, and even made a reputable showing at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Zilberman's simply produced but heartfelt documentary uses archival footage and in-person interviews with the female swimmers -- now in their 80s -- to re-tell the story of Hakoah's glory days. The women, many of whom still swim daily, finally travel from points across the globe to rendezvous at their Viennese training pool. Watermarks may be an uncomplicated film, but it overflows with spirit, hope and encouragement. In English, and Hebrew and German, with subtitles. (DE)