We have seen plenty of stories of suffering and heartbreak from World War II over the years. These stories—whether fictionalized or documentaries—show the courage and determination of those who survived unimaginable situations. They serve as a stark reminder of what humanity is capable of doing.

That’s certainly the case with Among Neighbors, a new documentary that looks at a small town in Poland that has struggled with its past. It was a place where Polish people and Jews lived side-by-side until the Nazis invaded during WWII. The actions in the aftermath of that invasion revealed heroes and those not so heroic.

But the country’s efforts to erase the past—and the role they played in the oppression and violence against Jews—has caused outsiders, survivors, and residents to struggle. It’s natural to want to erase things that make us feel ashamed or uncomfortable. But this new documentary seeks to get to the truth, interviewing those who survived and telling the story of people and a town grappling with its painful past.

The film comes from director Yoav Potash. It started with a simple premise, following a family from America that went back to their ancestral hometown to learn more. It becomes something more, as he explores the area and questions survivors. That includes a man who, as a young Jewish boy, had a harrowing journey of survival.

It also follows a woman, who as a young Polish girl was friends with a Jewish boy and always wondered what happened to him. To tell the stories of both, the film employs a mixture of interviews and animated recreations to drop you into the action.

I won’t ruin it here, but these stories come connected in a fascinating and deeply emotional way. The entire exploration asks some hard questions but reveals some true heroes and villains who were caught in the war. It’s also a beautiful tribute to those who survived, those who were lost, and those who advocate for the truth.

I thought the film was engaging and tells a powerful story. It’s deeply emotional at times and manages to find some beauty in a difficult situation. It’s a story worth seeking out.

Among Neighbors is now playing in limited release.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.