Senior citizens from the University of the Third Age (U3A), Historic Film/Documentary Society, Second Innings Club, Decorative Arts Society (Darts) and Good Times Club congregated at The Ditsong Museum of Military History in Saxonwold on 17 July to watch the documentary Imaginary Witness: Hollywood and the Holocaust.
The 2004 film sought to examine the depiction of the Holocaust in Hollywood films over a 60-year period, bringing into question the manner in which the horrific genocide was portrayed to the world.
Selwyn Klass of the Historic Film/Documentary Society introduced the film to audiences at the packed-out auditorium asking the question, “Does history repeat itself?
“Of all the Hollywood scenarios, the holocaust remains the most elusive. Hollywood could never capture the horror of the holocaust accurately.”
He said he decided to show the documentary since it has been 25 years since the release of film Schindler’s List, which he believes best depicts the horrors of the Holocaust.
Klass explained that in the mid-1970s, all the studios were by and large Jewish-owned. “They felt they should not rock the boat by discussing the Holocaust.”
He explained that many people grew up now knowing about the horrors of the Holocaust as a result.
“We don’t just show this documentary for the Jewish community, but want to educate the public. I believe that Schindler’s List is one of the most accurate films made showing how Oskar Schindler saved 1 500 souls and impacted over 6 000 people in generations to come. It is the greatest human trait to save souls.”
Klass said the documentary, although shocking, created a facility for the community to redress the imbalance.
Rosalie Lotis of the Good Times Club said, “The documentary encapsulates all the harrowing holocaust films.”
Other audience members commented that the documentary was informative and worth watching.
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