LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 15, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Scientology Network’s “Documentary Showcase” presents the award-winning documentary “Big Sonia” Friday June 17, at 8:30 p.m. PT. Documentary Showcase is the weekly series providing a platform for independent filmmakers to share their work on important social, cultural and environmental issues.

“Big Sonia” tells the life story of Sonia Warshawski, who was 17 in 1942 when the Germans forced her and her family into slave labor in the ghetto. From there she was transported to and survived Auschwitz-Birkenau and Bergen-Belsen concentration camps. The great-grandmother and businesswoman, now living in Kansas City, Missouri, is a surprising source of inspiration for a new generation.

Codirected by Leah Warshawski and Todd Soliday, “Big Sonia” follows Sonia as she’s served an eviction notice for the iconic tailor shop she’s owned and operated for over 30 years. Faced with an agonizing decision of whether to carry on anew or retire, her lifelong struggle with her memories comes to the fore as she admits to preferring to stay busy “to keep the dark parts away.” But it’s those same traumatic memories of her youth that make her a compelling and popular motivational speaker. Viewers will watch as Sonia delivers inspiring speeches in schools, churches and prisons, and experience the powerful impact her message of hope has on audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

ABOUT LEAH WARSHAWSKI

Codirector Leah Warshawski, Sonia’s granddaughter, produces and directs documentary features, television shows, commercials and branded entertainment. Her first feature, “Finding Hillywood” (2013), won six awards, including the Critics’ Award (Sebastopol Doc Festival) and the Audience Award (Napa Film Festival), and screened at more than 65 festivals.

ABOUT TODD SOLIDAY

Codirector Todd Soliday is a director, director of photography and editor with more than 25 years of experience in production and post-production. He specializes in documentary storytelling and adventure films such as “Platinum” (2007). As post-production supervisor for “Finding Hillywood,” Soliday was in charge of graphics and sound and edited a music video for the film. Recent documentary projects include “Out of Luck” (2015) and “The Breach” (2014).

ABOUT DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE

Fundamental to Scientology is a humanitarian mission that extends to some 200 nations with programs for human rights, human decency, literacy, morality, drug prevention and disaster relief. For this reason, the Scientology Network provides a platform for independent filmmakers who embrace a vision of building a better world.

DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE debuts films weekly from award-winning independent filmmakers whose goal is to improve society by raising awareness of social, cultural and environmental issues.

For more information, visit Scientology.tv/docs.

Scientology Network debuted on March 12, 2018. Since launching with a special introduction by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige, Scientology Network has been viewed in 240 countries and territories in 17 languages. Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization and presenting its social betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide.

Broadcast from Scientology Media Productions, the Church’s global media center in Los Angeles, the Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320 and can be streamed at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientology.tv/series/documentary-showcase/big-sonia/

MULTIMEDIA:

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/4ALASRY0je4

News Source: Church of Scientology International