User reviews

In "The Stand Up Doll," Evelyne Tollman Werzowa documents Risa, a woman with a life full of tragedy and a heart full of joy. And that is her triumph. Evelyne mines the depth and meaning of a life that's lasted over a hundred years and a woman who has survived by not letting misfortune turn the journey bitter. Risa's remarkable gift is her ability to appreciate the good and to forgive and accept the bad. You get a lot of both when you live to be a 100. Inspiring and heartwarming, Evelyne's documentary is well worth the time.

The Stand Up Doll is a pretty remarkable documentary. The film is about the life and perspective of nearly 100 year old Risa Ingelfeld who has lived an incredibly full life. We meet Risa through director Evelyne Tollman, who is featured on camera as well, who developed a relationship with Risa and began filming with her about 15 years ago. I should note quickly that I've seen Evelyne Tollman's work as an actress in the film Somebody's Mother, which is also quite good. We learn a great deal about Risa in The Stand Up Doll, but what stands out the most is her remarkable spirit and zest for life given that she survived the Nazi invasion. If you are the type of person like me who really appreciates a deep look into the interesting lives of ordinary people who are, in fact, extraordinary, then give The Stand Up Doll a watch.

Writer/Director Evelyne Tollman has simply made a remarkable film! That said, it goes to show how many truly remarkable people are among us if we take the time to engage, to listen to them tell their story. I highly suggest, recommend this gem of a film to all. A huge thumbs up from me!!

This movie is a real gem in the documentary space. The film follows Risa Inglefeld, who approaches her 100th birthday, and the documentarian, Evelyne, who is searching, in a way, for a grandmother figure. Evelyne interviews Risa and offers musings when about life, death, and living.

For me, it was wonderful to sit for over an hour and ponder life, getting old, and learn how a certain kind of attitude can be an incredible asset to carry you through life. There are too many heartwarming and heartbreaking moments to list. It was a delightful movie.

The stand up doll was truly a remarkable film. Director Evelyne Tollman Werzowa did a fantatic job drawing the audience in with the life story of Risa as she approaches her 100th birthday. Risa's back story of her family and friends gives us a gimple of the challenges she endured growing up and living through World War II and her transition to the United States. The music and editing were on point. A must see film.

This was an extraordinary story about an extraordinary life. Risa is the a Stand Up Doll powered by the Energizer bunny. Her life and loves and love of life and beauty was a breath of fresh air, considering what she went through. This' Doll' brought to life another side to the horror of the war. The onlookers, the willing participants in what happened in Vienna during the war. And while others fell, she got up. Though all her losses, age did not define her or restrict her. I too will put on lipstick and dance like Risa as the years go by for me.

This is the reason documentaries exist - to share stories you didn't know you needed to know from people that have lived extraordinary lives.

The Stand Up Doll covers the very full life of Risa Ingelfeld, a Holocaust survivor, mother, singer, dancer and so much more. What will touch you the most will be her zeal for life.

Amazing work by Evelyne Tollman here, simply spectacular.

Remarkable lives are lived right under our noses, and with no prerequisite fame or fortune. In "The Stand Up Doll," director Evelyne Tollman finds one in the 99 years of Risa Inglefeld, a woman she met through happenstance at the community center while at once being struck by her radiating sense of uplift and existential calm.

Tollman also narrates her documentary film, and gently notes America's confounding resistance to drawing on the experiences of our most experienced. "The Stand Up Doll" bridges that gap by presenting in Inglefeld the simple and inadvertent attitudinal leadership we can source from well-lived lives. Through Tollman's lens, Inglefeld perseveres throughout her century with a learned grace and gratitude that doubles as a searing resilience; she has contextualized her life's significant traumas to always lean forward and shine brightly.

Of course, "The Stand Up Doll" carries with it a lesson for those of us stubbornly angst-ridden and world-weary. But it's an inspirational one derived seamlessly through truly expert storytelling. Highly recommended. - Was this review of use to you? If so, let me know by clicking "Helpful." Cheers!

I thoroughly enjoyed this documentary. I didn't get to know my grandparents because three died before I was even born. I had to learn who they were from my parents. Watching this I get the feeling I'd have had the same feelings listening to their past. Risa has a life force many don't at any age. We see and hear about the moments in her past in Nazi Germany and we feel the anger she still holds for Vienna even though she says she's forgiven those that call it their home. But the common thread throughout the film for me was music. Risa's love of it - her ability to play the piano and her obvious joy in singing, in 10 languages mind you - and dancing - even at 98. We wonder why she keeps standing up after every setback. Well I believe it's the music in her soul. A song in her head and her heart. Something we all have felt but never understood the significance of keeping it there. Risa reminded me of that. I won't soon forget it. The film is a gentle piece, made gracefully by the narrator, Evelyne. It's very good work.

The Stand Up Doll is an outstanding film about Risa Ingelfeld, a remarkable centurion. Her story is documented by writer, director, and actress, Evelyne Tollman Werzowa who is Risa's friend. With ease and comfort, Risa spoke about her life from the day she was born in Vienna, to her 100-year birthday celebration event in Los Angeles. Through the years, Risa endured many tragedies that most people would not be able to survive, but because of her resiliency and radiant smile, she always bounced back from adversity, disappointment instead of giving up. The Stand Up Doll has left and emotional impact on me and I'm certain it will have the same effect on you.

We are all searching for the meaning of life. Who are we? What is our purpose while we are here? How can we best live the time we have here in this life we are given? What better way to gain some wisdom around these questions, than to hear from an incredibly strong, self-reliant woman, who has lived 100 years through heartbreak, atrocities of war, love, loss and countless experiences, living not as a victim, but as a lover of life! Wonderful!!!

It was great getting know Risa through this movie. It was wonderful to see how the years of her life unfolded and how she kept going in such a positive directions. I had never heard of a stand up doll before, but I have now and it proper describes Risa and this beautiful documentary.

As an aging Jewish female Baby Boomer, I started watching this film with great enthusiasm. Here was a Jewish woman who had escaped the Holocaust (by moving to England) and has managed to live to almost 100 despite a life full of difficulties. Who wouldn't want to know her secret?

I was enjoying watching how Risa focused on her attitude of not hanging on to issues she could not control. Likewise her emphasis on beauty, art, music, and helping little children. Until we met her daughter. From then on, I couldn't help but identify with her daughter who I'm assuming was about my age, and, I feel quite certain, lived with all the emotional (and physical) pain Risa avoided herself.

Ultimately, I've concluded, that Risa's longevity unfortunately had one, if not two, sacrificial lambs. (We also learned, as if by a footnote, that she also had a son.) Both her daughter and her son died young.

Hours after watching The Stand Up Doll I thought about how unusual it was for this otherwise successfully surviving strong woman to have two children who both died young. Her daughter died of breast cancer, for which, it was explained, she refused traditional treatments. What was Risa's role in this, I wondered. Did she try to help her daughter and convince her to get treatments? This was glossed over. Also, the issue of Risa and her daughter's relationship was looked at but not in much depth. In front of the camera the daughter said she forgave her mother for neglecting her in her childhood and focusing more on herself.

I supposed because I had a similar mother who was narcissistically preoccupied with herself and her beauty, which threw me into a supporting role at best, leaving me fighting depression, low self-esteem, etc. for decades to come.

Unless I missed it, I don't recall Evelyne (writer, director and narrator) mentioning what Risa's son died from.

After the interview with Risa's daughter, and compounded upon learning she actually died, my feeling of awe and respect for Risa declined dramatically. At the same time a belief I've suspected to be true about surviving under dire circumstances was confirmed: you must value your own survival above all else. If survival comes down to a choice between you or a loved one, you will be the choice because you are Number One.

By the time my mother drank herself to death at age 78 because she no longer could stand her diminished beauty and sexual allure, I had forgiven her. After years of hating her for what a bad mother she was, I told her "You did the best you could." Now I'm continuing to work on giving up regret that my life was not more successful due to all the years I spent undoing the damage that had been done to me in childhood and beyond.

Sadly, Risa's daughter did not get to that stage. To me this is even more tragic as well as ironic considering Risa's proclaimed love for teaching children. I have an aunt who, though she married twice, chose never to have children despite working in an elementary school because she loved children. It's easier to love children when you can go home and be with your husband without having to worry about all those pesky annoying needs that children have.

If you think a film about a 100 year old Immigrant might be hard to relate to, think again. Risa is such a strong, self-sufficient and likable person, you will be happy you shared your time with her. She's had heartbreak. She has wisdom. She loves life. And she's FUNNY! The filmmaker, Evelyne Werzowa has obviously devoted many years of her life documenting Risa's, and she is an on-camera presence that keeps us informed and engaged. Watch this film!!!!

This is a lovely little doc about keeping the cup half full, even when life throws all she's got at you. The film's subject, Risa, with a hundred years under her belt, is a nice reminder that life should be lived to the fullest...Also notable is the filmmaker's own personal reflection as the narrator. Insightful, curious, thoughtful.

Our elders have so much wisdom to share. Risa modeled resilience and the importance of joyi n one's life. This should be required viewing for intergenerational education. Historically important and contemporarily valid. You'll fall in love with Risa and Evelyne and their relationship.

A wonderful heatwarming doco that follows Risa an elderly woman on the cusp of turning 100. She looks back and reflects on a remarkable life full of tragedy and triumph. A sobering reminder about the passage of time and the shortness of our lives, but at the same time incredibly moving and uplifting. It will inspire you to have more empathy for those in the twighlight years of their life and perhaps reach out to an elderly relative with a greater empathy and appreciation for the stories they tell. Highly recommend.

This is a very powerful documentary about an exceptional woman and the lessons she accumulated over 99 years of life. The filmmaker has created a moving portrait of life, death, hardships, dignity and the indomitable spirit of joy in the face of sorrow. While reminding the audience of the many ways we do not see the elderly in our society, let alone learn from them. This film also connects to the past and the scars of the holocaust today for those who survived and the children of the survivors, working through the trauma 60+ years later. I also appreciated the film was not shy about tackling subjects like sexuality and prejudice. Revealing the mistakes made over a long life as a means for growth even at an advanced age.

We could learn a lot from this film and from our elders. Well worth the watch.

Loved this documentary! Following the amazing life of Rosa, Its a true gem. A reminder for all of us to appreciate life more. She's an inspiration and even inspired me to give my grandmother a call to just appreciate her presence. Amazing film! Highly recommended!!

What an amazing film about such a wonderful woman. The way she can take so much tragedy and still have so much joy is really very inspiring and honestly motivating. It really reminded me that I will be able to make it through the hardships in my own life. I just hope I can do so with as much grace as Risa.

Evelyn does a fantastic job of storytelling in this documentary capturing the roller coaster ride of 99 year old Risa's life. From the tragic to inspirational happy moments, Risa's story is one for not just her family or "tribe" but for the world. Amazing what we can learn from our elders if we just take the time to listen. Great job to writer director Evelyn Tollman for creating an this tribute and inspiring film.

Stand up tall is a remarkable telling of a woman's journey through her past and present. It gives hope and faith to anyone struggling to feel it. It is remarkably life affirming. Congratulations to the beautiful filmmaker for going on the journey with Risa.

A revealing look into the life and perspective of a fascinating woman on the cusp of turning 100. Her story is dramatic and heart-breaking, having experienced the hardships of WWII and its repercussions. But ultimately, it is her intentionality to elevate her life above the pain of the past and current struggles, making her a shining example for all. Her personality is endearing and her positivity magnetic. Her story is a wonderful reflection on life, love and happiness, and the narrator does an exemplary job of exploring these themes.

Filmmaker Evelyne Tollman honors an amazing woman's life as she approaches her 100th birthday. I too have a deep appreciation for our elders, and there is clearly a great deal of respect in this film for the vibrant Risa Ingelfeld. Her vitality and passion for finding joy in life despite major hardships is inspiring. For those who care about our elders this film is for you.