According to Monica Hesse, author of Girl In the Blue Coat, “Mina’s storyline draws from Lydia van Nobelen-Riezouw, though not a member of the underground camera, a loosely joined network of professional photographers, did live in an apartment abutting the Schouwburg’s rear courtyard, and Lydia did take photographs of the Jewish prisoners when she recognised a childhood friend among them.” But, what I’m actually here to talk about, is what motivated Mina to take pictures of everything. Mina worked at the Schouwburg and she witnessed all of the cruel things happening to her people, people she knew.“‘I read about some photographers in an underground paper. They take pictures of the occupation. They document it, so when the war is over the Germans
