LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 15, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Scientology Network\u2019s \u201cDocumentary Showcase\u201d presents the award-winning documentary\u00a0\u201cBig Sonia\u201d\u00a0Friday June 17, at 8:30 p.m. PT. Documentary Showcase is the weekly series providing a platform for independent filmmakers to share their work on important social, cultural and environmental issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cBig Sonia<\/a>\u201d\u00a0tells the life story of Sonia Warshawski, who was 17 in 1942 when the Germans forced her and her family into slave labor in the ghetto. From there she was transported to and survived Auschwitz-Birkenau and Bergen-Belsen concentration camps. The great-grandmother and businesswoman, now living in Kansas City, Missouri, is a surprising source of inspiration for a new generation.<\/p>\n Codirected by Leah Warshawski and Todd Soliday,\u00a0\u201cBig Sonia\u201d\u00a0follows Sonia as she\u2019s served an eviction notice for the iconic tailor shop she\u2019s owned and operated for over 30 years. Faced with an agonizing decision of whether to carry on anew or retire, her lifelong struggle with her memories comes to the fore as she admits to preferring to stay busy \u201cto keep the dark parts away.\u201d But it\u2019s those same traumatic memories of her youth that make her a compelling and popular motivational speaker. Viewers will watch as Sonia delivers inspiring speeches in schools, churches and prisons, and experience the powerful impact her message of hope has on audiences of all ages and backgrounds.<\/p>\n ABOUT LEAH WARSHAWSKI<\/strong><\/p>\n Codirector Leah Warshawski, Sonia\u2019s granddaughter, produces and directs documentary features, television shows, commercials and branded entertainment. Her first feature,\u00a0\u201cFinding Hillywood\u201d (2013), won six awards, including the Critics\u2019 Award (Sebastopol Doc Festival) and the Audience Award (Napa Film Festival), and screened at more than 65 festivals.<\/p>\n ABOUT TODD SOLIDAY<\/strong><\/p>\n Codirector Todd Soliday is a director, director of photography and editor with more than 25 years of experience in production and post-production. He specializes in documentary storytelling and adventure films such as\u00a0\u201cPlatinum\u201d\u00a0(2007). As post-production supervisor for\u00a0\u201cFinding Hillywood,\u201d Soliday was in charge of graphics and sound and edited a music video for the film. Recent documentary projects include\u00a0\u201cOut of Luck\u201d\u00a0(2015) and\u00a0\u201cThe Breach\u201d\u00a0(2014).<\/p>\n ABOUT DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE<\/strong><\/p>\n Fundamental to Scientology is a humanitarian mission that extends to some 200 nations with programs for human rights, human decency, literacy, morality, drug prevention and disaster relief. For this reason, the Scientology Network provides a platform for independent filmmakers who embrace a vision of building a better world.<\/p>\n DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE debuts films weekly from award-winning independent filmmakers whose goal is to improve society by raising awareness of social, cultural and environmental issues.<\/p>\n For more information, visit\u00a0Scientology.tv\/docs<\/a>.<\/p>\n Scientology Network debuted on March 12, 2018. Since\u00a0launching<\/a> with a special introduction by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige<\/a>, Scientology Network has been viewed in 240 countries and territories in 17 languages. Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a\u00a0global organization<\/a> and presenting its social betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide.<\/p>\n Broadcast from\u00a0Scientology Media Productions<\/a>, the Church\u2019s global media center in Los\u00a0Angeles, the Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320 and can be streamed at\u00a0Scientology.tv<\/a>, on\u00a0mobile apps<\/a>\u00a0and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple\u00a0TV platforms.<\/p>\n LEARN MORE:<\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.scientology.tv\/series\/documentary-showcase\/big-sonia\/<\/a><\/p>\n