Film screening in South Haven intended to spread awareness about Black soldiers in WWII

A free screening of a film shot partially in Michigan will be held in South Haven next month to spread awareness about the efforts of Black American GIs who helped save lives in World War II.

Sharona Shapiro with the First Hebrew Congregation of South Haven tells us they’re teaming up with Lily of the Valley Church in Covert and Temple B’nai Shalom in St. Joseph for a showing of Old Heart, a love story that depicts African American soldiers who fought in the occupied Netherlands. The producer of the film is from Michigan.

“A member of the Jewish community in Muskegon shared the story with us, shared about the film, and he is the producer of the film. And he had a group of individuals from Michigan who were actors and helped produce as well as directed the film,” Shapiro said.

And Shapiro says the producer is seeking to share his project with Southwest Michigan, reaching out to the congregation in South Haven because the picture is based on a book written by someone who lived between Benton Harbor and South Haven.

“This is a little love story that kind of evolves between one particular soldier and a Jewish woman who is part of the underground, and the two work together to help smuggle goods to the northern part of the Netherlands. It kind of reflects what was happening during that time period, the cooperation to try to save Jews, to save people who are under occupying forces that really restricted the individual living during that time.”

Shapiro says the screening comes amid efforts to restore historical panels commemorating the actions of these soldiers at a U.S. military cemetery in the Netherlands. The panels were removed in 2025.

“These panels were taken down, so that’s why it’s so timely. Many of us throughout the state are trying to urge the U.S. military, individuals responsible for the cemetery, to put those panels back up.”

Shapiro says Congresswoman Debbie Dingell has been working on this movement’s behalf.

The screening of Old Heart will be on June 22 at Lake Michigan College in South Haven at 6:30 p.m. and Shapiro says everyone is welcome.

“The whole idea is starting at 6:30 to 7. We’ll have light refreshments and fellowships at 7 o‘clock is the screening. And following the screening, immediately following, will be short interviewing, like a talkback, with some members who are instrumental in putting the film together, as well as our advocacy piece, urging individuals to contact their elected officials. to see about getting those panels back up on the walls in the Netherlands at the U.S. military cemetery.”

They do ask for RSVPs so they have an idea of how many people to expect. Reservations to the screenings can be made by emailing shapirolerner@gmail.com.

You can learn more about the film at OldHeartMovie.com.