Hanni Vogelweid was an American actor most notable for her appearance in the short film Visas and Virtue. She was born on October 5, 1923, in Berlin, Germany, and passed away on January 27, 2006, in Huntington Beach, California, USA.
Personal and Family Life
Hanni, originally named Hanni Sondheimer, fled Germany with her family at the age of eleven, moving first to Kaunas, Lithuania. In 1940, her family faced the threat of the Soviet occupation, which prompted them to seek refugee visas. Hanni stood in line for several days at the consulate of Japanese Vice-Consul Chiune Sugihara, successfully acquiring transit visas that allowed her family to escape to Japan and eventually to Shanghai during World War II.
Career
After World War II, Hanni found work at an American Army base in Shanghai, where she met her future husband, an American officer. They relocated to the United States in 1946. Hanni later contributed to the film Visas and Virtue in 1996, sharing her experiences and memories of her life as a refugee and the impact of Sugihara’s actions.
Death and Legacy
Hanni passed away on January 27, 2006, leaving a legacy of courage and warmth. She became a vital part of the film community surrounding Visas and Virtue and helped raise awareness about the story of Chiune Sugihara. Her presence during production and at screenings served to ground the project in the reality of her experiences as a refugee.
Filmography
| Title | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Visas and Virtue | 1997 | Elderly Woman at Interview |