In the Darkness

A true story. It formed the basis of the film «In the Darkness», nominated for an «Oscar» as «Best Foreign Language Film».

Lviv, 1943. When the Nazis began the final liquidation of the ghetto, the Higer Jewish family had no choice but to descend into the city’s sewer system. Along with them, another 17 people went underground: men, women, and children. They hoped to spend a few days there, but reality turned into 14 months of life in darkness.

«In the Darkness» is a chilling yet inspiring survival story told from the perspective of Kristina Higer, who was only seven years old at the time of their escape. It chronicles the struggle not only against hunger, rats, disease, and the devastating floods of Pelteva but also against despair, betrayal, and human malice within the group itself. In this hell, deprived of light and hope, they survived thanks to their father's courage, their mother's self-sacrifice, and the incredible help of a former thief, now the sewer keeper, Leopold Sochi — their «guardian angel», who risked his life for «the hen and her two chicks». The book is based on real events and the personal diaries of the family.