project schepens
This project represents the act of being so compelled by a story that a decision is made to try to bring it to life on a whole other level.
The beo has entered into a film option agreement
December 10, 2025 — The Basque Educational Organization (BEO) has signed a film option agreement with author Meg Ostrum for her book, The Surgeon and the Shepherd: Two Resistance Heroes in Vichy France.
This agreement marks the first step in adapting her words about resistance heroes in occupied France during World War II into a motion picture.
The BEO is working in partnership with Mr. Pierre Jambon, BEO Advisory Board Member and the project’s Executive Producer, as the Creative Partner and Content Guide.
“Once I read the book, I knew this unique story of courage and ingenuity deserved to be shared more broadly. It was personal for me, but I immediately recognized that this story would resonate with many people,” said Mr. Jambon.
“As an organization, the BEO has had insightful conversations through the years with our greater community, discussing the Basque people’s participation in occupied France during World War II. What we’ve learned is that, unless someone was actively involved in the resistance, even family members did not know the danger their mothers, fathers, and siblings faced or the risks they took. These stories weren’t passed down. Fortunately, we continue to learn with books such as The Surgeon and the Shepherd. This is the true story of a young Belgian ophthalmologist, Charles Schepens, and his collaboration with the Basques on the French side of the Pyrenees mountains, to save at least 100 lives by getting them over the border and into Spain.” Anna Marie Etcheverria, President of the BEO, continues, “The BEO is honored to be a part of this project, not only to share this compelling story, but to give voice to the resistance heroes who never used their own during these precarious times, and to learn from the experiences that lingered in the stillness of some very dark and long nights.”
CLICK HERE to access the official press release.