Nat Geo’s limited series “A Small Light,” based on the true story of Miep Gies, one of the people who hid the family of Anne Frank from the Nazis during World War II, premieres May 1 on Nat Geo and next day on Disney+. EVP of Global Scripted Content and Documentary Films, Carolyn Bernstein, talks about the cultural significance of bringing this story to audiences now.
What is the cultural significance of “A Small Light”?
The story of Anne Frank and her family is well known globally, while the story of the young Dutch woman who hid them from the Nazis during World War II ― Miep Gies ― is largely unknown. Miep was an ordinary woman who courageously risked her own well-being, without hesitation, to protect the Frank family and five other Jewish people hidden in the Secret Annex. Miep exhibited moral clarity and courage when it would have been much easier and safer to sit on the sidelines. We hope the audience will ask themselves what they would do if faced with the same situation. The story of “A Small Light” may have taken place during World War II, but hatred, intolerance and fascism are unfortunately still alive and well all over the world. It is crucial to stop history from repeating itself, and we hope that by telling this story, we will remind audiences around the world that they, too, can be, as Miep herself said at the end of her life, a small light in a dark room.
How does Nat Geo position itself as a brand in a media landscape with so many offerings, and why is Nat Geo the right place for this program?
National Geographic is committed to telling gripping stories that inspire a deeper connection to our world, and “A Small Light” is a perfect example of just that. This series depicts a critical piece of history and an important cautionary tale that reminds us that we can all do our small part to fight against evil and hatred.
How do you think audience preferences have changed over the past few years, and how do you see that evolving?
Viewers have endless content options available to them today, on demand. In an incredibly crowded content landscape and when time is a scarce commodity, viewers are looking for programs that create a deep emotional connection. At Nat Geo, we aim to provide best-in-class storytelling and offer our viewers premium content that can’t be found anywhere else.
