
Fleeing Hitler
The Oznowicz Family’s Journey to England
Fleeing Hitler: The Oznowicz Family’s Journey to England tells the story of Isidore and Francoise Oznowicz, the parents of Frank Oz. They fled Antwerp in 1940 and made the dangerous journey to England through France, Casablanca and Lisbon. The exhibition connects items from the National Archive, their hand-made marionettes and a poignant interview between Frank and his father.
In this exhibition, you follow the journey made by Isidore and Francoise. Lines of light bring you chronologically through their story and also symbolise the many routes taken by those fleeing to England. Fragments of the interview between Frank and his father are shown along the way, with his story visualised by animated illustrations and connected with the lines of light in the space.
Client
Nationaal Archief
Year: 2024
Location:
Nationaal ArchiefPhotography: Herman Zonderland, Mike Bink
Lines of light
These lines of light symbolise the routes taken by those travelling to England, represent land borders and refer to marionettes.





The Oznowicz family’s journey
Fragments from the interview of Frank and his father are included in the exhibition. Linear animations depict his story and merge seamlessly into the lines of light in the space.

After the war
The last section shows how Isidore and Francoise restarted their puppet theatre in America after the war. The marionettes are shown here against the background of the beginning of their escape.

Made digitally searchable
Finally, there is a film about the research of the National Archive, which gives Frank Oz’ story as an example. Visitors are then given the option of searching through the National Archive themselves and tracking the journey taken by the travellers to England.