Paper Clips: Documentary of Rural Middle School Students

Honoring 6 Million Jews Killed in the Holocaust

Paper Clips (2004) is a moving documentary about middle school students from rural Whitwell, Tennessee, and their decision to collect six million paper clips to honor Jews killed in the Holocaust. The story grew out of a principal’s desire to help her students open their eyes to the diversity of the world beyond their insulated valley.

The film has received many awards including being named one of the five best documentaries of 2004 by the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures.

"Paper Clips is a vivid learning experience that has changed the lives of students and teachers associated with it," said Robert M. Johnson, co-producer and CEO of The Johnson Group, the Virginia company responsible for capturing the story on film.

Related Link

German railcar to house the clips -- See Desson Thomson review, "Compelling story makes documentary 'Paper Clips' worth watching." (Washington Post, February 4, 2005)