Hollywood & The Holocaust

BBC4 have been running an interesting documentary as part of their storyville strand, detailing the relationship between Hollywood studios and the holocaust, both on screen and politically.

For an industry in which the majority of powerbrokers were of European Jewish origin, it transpires that there was none reticence to deal with the subject than expected. Wartime films likely did not deal with the subject because the extent of the situation was not known, it wasn't until many years after the war ended that the subject was dealt with explicitly.

Whilst there's some interesting stuff in there, and some clips that hadn't been seen before, the whole thing felt like it was only scratching the surface. Interesting observations, such as the industry's reliance on Germany as a source of overseas revenue, and the political implications of addressing the subject whilst the USA was still a neutral observer, were dealt with only fleetingly. There was no talk of allegorical holocaust films, or the use of holocaust imagery in films not specifically about the subject (Abel Ferrera's Vampire film 'The Hunger' being one interesting example). Comedic (for want of a better word)treatments of the subject got short shrift, whilst the great dictator (which is not really a holocaust film) was discussed, films such as the producers and Jakob the liar were mentioned only very briefly or not at all.

Notwithstanding the above, it was an interesting primer on the subject. It was also good to see at least some criticism of Schindlers List. I have often pointed out that on;y Spielberg could make a feel good film about the holocaust, and the documentary at least in part voices that concern. It also has some interesting points to say about narrative and characterisation in relation to that film.

This being BBC4 it will doubtless be repeated over the next few weeks. Check it out.

An interview with the director is here:

http://www.newenglandfilm.com/news/archives/05march/anker.htm

more about the film here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/storyville/hollywood-holocaust.shtml