The Custaryans

North American Premiere

This powerful film delves into the forgotten stories of Jewish possessions entrusted to non-Jewish acquaintances during World War II. As Jews were deported, many left their most valuable belongings with neighbors, hoping to reclaim them upon their return. For those few who survived and came back, their homecoming was devastating. Their houses were occupied, and many of their possessions were never returned. The term "custaryans" —a blend of "custodian" and "Aryan"—refers to those who refused to return these entrusted items, a reflection of the still-present anti-Semitism and the overwhelming bureaucracy that made justice nearly impossible.

Through three deeply personal stories from people who honored their promises, to those who kept everything for themselves, to others unsure of what to do with the belongings of Jews who never returned, the film examines a post-war Netherlands marked by resurgent anti-Semitism and a national memory that largely overlooked the suffering of its Jewish survivors. Set against a background of social reconstruction, The Custaryans reveals the unhealed wounds that persist more than 75 years later, questioning what true restitution and justice look like in a world still grappling with the scars of history.

Accompanying the film premiere is a discussion with producer Chiel Christiaans and screenwriter Judith Van Vliet. To view the conversation please click here.