L’CHAIN-AUF DAS LEBEN: SHADES OF JEWISH LIFE IN TWO FILMS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v2i6.73Keywords:
foreign film, film criticism, German film, Jewish history, holocaust, Jewish cultureAbstract
Film is an essential part of entertainment. Millions of people spend time in front of the big screen, enjoying mainstream movies. Special interest films reach only a limited audience. Jewish themed films focus either on the Holocaust or on Jewish life and culture. This study engages in a dialogue with the films Auf das Leben, directed by Uwe Janson, and L’Chaim. Auf das Leben! Wenn das Überleben Leben wird, directed by Elkan Spiller. Although the format and genre of both films differ, their cinematographic texts reveal significant parallels. Director Janson tells the story of Artur Brauner and his family. This Holocaust inspired story skillfully provides the background to the fictitious meeting of different pasts and selective presents, personified in the encounter between Jonas and Ruth. Elkan Spiller centers his documentary on his aunt, the Holocaust survivor Nechama Spiller, and his cousin Chaim.
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