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Disturbing yet enthralling

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

Wonderful movie full of poignant moments with just the right touch of humor to dispel the sadness. Follow this 91 year old's story of her life from a concentration camp to current. Filmed in Kansas City but could be anywhere. Beautiful movie. Can't say enough good things about this film!! There needs to be a sequel!

This is a heartwarming story of a young Holocaust survivor, her story and her eventual family. A 14-year-old girl is caught in the Holocaust, survived multiple concentration camps and their horrors and eventually survived. She marries a fellow survivor, moves to the U.S. and raises a family. This is her story and that of her family. While the period in Europe is discussed, it is not graphic and can be suitable for school age children although there is no doubt that this is something they will not forget.They move to Kansas City where they operate a tailor shop and attempt to live a normal American life. Of course, their family is not normal, and never can be, given what the parents have lived through and the absence of an extended family.I have a similar background personally so I could readily relate to the situation. My parents background, and those of myself and my brothers, is not all that much different than that in the move. In the end, Sonia and her husband survived and thrived through some of the most horrifying events of humanity. I am very glad I saw the movie. The movie is quite appropriate for educational audiences and events such as Yom Hashoa commemoration programs that want to remember the horrors of that period. While her story is not uncommon for Holocaust survivors, the movie does an excellent job of saving this story for history when the last survivors is no longer with us. My congratulations to the people behind this valiant effort and the story they leave behind.

"Big Sonia" is an uplifting story of resilience. In a Kansas City Star article, Eric Adler described "Big Sonia" as a story "of modern-day survival — how a tiny woman, time and again, after facing her own death and then that of her husband, is nonetheless able to reinvent herself and find hope and meaning in life." Sonia's example of shunning hate serves us all well, a universal theme for all eras, as discussed in a KC Star article by Melinda Henneberger.My favorite scene shows the reactions (to Sonia's comments) of long-term inmates in Lansing Correctional Facility. It tells you a lot about these prisoners as well as about Sonia.The film also reminds us of the "dark side" of humanity, creatively using Sonia's doodles to give glimpses of the sordid history of her six years in concentration camps. Many viewers have praised the use of drawings rather than photos or recreations.Sonia's children's comments provide valuable insights into the subtle impact of atrocities on succeeding generations.I marvel that Todd Soliday was able to edit more than 600 hours of tape into a 93-minute movie. The stuff on the cutting room floor must have been heart-wrenching to drop.When confronted with troubling occurrences in other countries, too many of us presume "that could never happen here". "Big Sonia" reminds us that we must remain vigilant and be willing to act to preserve freedom for fellow citizens, as well as ourselves.

Greetings again from the darkness. Some people anxiously await the day they can retire and spend their days fishing or reading, while others put it off as long as possible since they find their identity through work. The diminutive subject of this terrific documentary is 91 year old Sonia Warshawski. Her reasons for maintaining a 6 day work week are both heart-warming and chilling, and make for a fascinating story.Filmmakers Todd Soliday and Leah Warshawski (Sonia's granddaughter) do their part in allowing the charming and fiery lady to deliver her own message and recount the horrors of her childhood. Sonia is a Holocaust survivor. As a 13 year old in 1939 Poland, she and her family were taken. She never again saw her father or brother, took multiple beatings while being shuffled through 3 death camps (including Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen), and ultimately watched her mother led into the gas chamber. In her own words, she says she "was in hell", and it's "a miracle" she made it out.You might assume that anyone who has experienced so much pain would be bitter and cynical, but that's not Sonia's way. In addition to running her tailor shop for 35 years, she is also an inspirational speaker at churches, schools and prisons. We get to see her in these presentations and we are struck by how her words carry such weight with the audiences – young and old. One of the convicts provides insight when he states, "It takes people who've been through something to reach those going through something". We also witness the way she connects with teenage students … something most of us have little success with.Of course, Sonia has embraced her story, but the emotions and pain are never far from her. She stays busy to keep the memories at bay, and finds the idea of retirement somewhat frightening. We meet her 3 children and hear stories of their childhood and her husband John, also a Holocaust survivor. John died from Alzheimer's complications, but he is remembered fondly by all. It's so touching to watch as Sonia shows us her mother's 75 year old scarf which she keeps under her pillow, and we are mesmerized as she recounts the incredible story of her liberation day.An NPR radio interview provides some structure throughout, but it's not necessary as we would follow Sonia wherever she leads. It's so much fun to watch her Overland Park customers greet her in the now- defunct shopping mall, and it's downright hilarious as she sports her favorite animal prints on her coat, shoes and purse … and even the cover on the steering wheel that she can barely see over! Mostly this is a life lesson from a master who teaches us "don't carry hate" … even though she admits to being unable to forgive. She leaves that to a higher power. She is the best example we could have for keeping history alive and spreading love and goodness.