<< Resisting Forces >> (2003)
I regretted missing the ALA-SC hike yesterday, today's JACL Day of Remembrance, and many of the films in the Jewish Film Festival this weekend, but did have a productive day because of that...
...and I did manage to sneak in one film. I saw Resisting Forces (2003) by Dutch director Renée Sanders this evening. It was one of many that I wanted to see, but felt doubly that I should attend since the director came here for the preview (and I met her the evening before while correcting papers at a café).
The film deals with the Jews in the Dutch city of Enschede, who helped other Jews to go into hiding. It is not only the typical story of gentile courage acting out true Christian ideals (in this case a local pastor and others), but also how the Jewish Council (Judenrat) helped about 500 Jews from that city (of 1,300 Jews) to survive. This was amazing, compared to the over 80% of Dutch Jewry who did not survive the Holocaust. Sanders uses the diary of someone named Wertheim to tell the story. I wondered if it was a relative. There are many Wertheims and Wertheimers in the Memorbuchs of Auschwitz and other death camps, as well as other family names. I can only imagine history if my ancestors had not come to New York in the 1840s and 1880s.
The director's grandfather -- Gerard Sanders -- was one of the Judenrat members who made a difference. Her talk was a good complement to the film. She commented how there is not so much black and white (heroes and villians) when it comes to how most people acted during the Holocaust, (especially when it comes to judging people) -- but rather there is a lot of grey. I find that very true. The film had some of the optimism and respect for resistance that I saw in Frank Abe's excellent documentary Conscience and the Constitution.
Tonight I have to finish a letter in support of a grant for production of a film on a Nisei Veteran who also made a difference.
I gave Renée some travel suggestions -- don't get me started on where to eat or catch jazz here. She and her friend Veronika also suggested some places Noriko and I should check out this summer in Holland.
After the film I did some work and drank tea at Volcano Joe's. It was not the perfect workplace as they had Open Mike performers. One was really good though, and made it worthwhile. Calvin Murasaki was back home from the Bay Area, and had a very nice sound on electric violin. I hope he can get together with DeShannon Higa or the NewJass Quartet before he goes back to California.
...and I did manage to sneak in one film. I saw Resisting Forces (2003) by Dutch director Renée Sanders this evening. It was one of many that I wanted to see, but felt doubly that I should attend since the director came here for the preview (and I met her the evening before while correcting papers at a café).
The film deals with the Jews in the Dutch city of Enschede, who helped other Jews to go into hiding. It is not only the typical story of gentile courage acting out true Christian ideals (in this case a local pastor and others), but also how the Jewish Council (Judenrat) helped about 500 Jews from that city (of 1,300 Jews) to survive. This was amazing, compared to the over 80% of Dutch Jewry who did not survive the Holocaust. Sanders uses the diary of someone named Wertheim to tell the story. I wondered if it was a relative. There are many Wertheims and Wertheimers in the Memorbuchs of Auschwitz and other death camps, as well as other family names. I can only imagine history if my ancestors had not come to New York in the 1840s and 1880s.
The director's grandfather -- Gerard Sanders -- was one of the Judenrat members who made a difference. Her talk was a good complement to the film. She commented how there is not so much black and white (heroes and villians) when it comes to how most people acted during the Holocaust, (especially when it comes to judging people) -- but rather there is a lot of grey. I find that very true. The film had some of the optimism and respect for resistance that I saw in Frank Abe's excellent documentary Conscience and the Constitution.
Tonight I have to finish a letter in support of a grant for production of a film on a Nisei Veteran who also made a difference.
I gave Renée some travel suggestions -- don't get me started on where to eat or catch jazz here. She and her friend Veronika also suggested some places Noriko and I should check out this summer in Holland.
After the film I did some work and drank tea at Volcano Joe's. It was not the perfect workplace as they had Open Mike performers. One was really good though, and made it worthwhile. Calvin Murasaki was back home from the Bay Area, and had a very nice sound on electric violin. I hope he can get together with DeShannon Higa or the NewJass Quartet before he goes back to California.
posted by Dr. Drew at
2/20/2006 10:52:00 PM
2 Comment(s):
I didn't even see you at VJ's last night! That tone-deaf redhead was my husband, sorry about that. He tries. :)
By
Holly, at Tuesday, February 21, 2006 11:01:00 AM
Was Mike the last one to play? I got there well after it started and left towards the end. I do remember one guy who seemed a bit tone-deaf on guitar (the one who played after the Doors Wanna-be guy). He seemed nice.
I am rarely impressed by guitarists these days though after having lived off State Street in Madison. There were so many B-A-D street musicians that I fell out of love with the instrument -- unless it is being played a la Chicago blues or with early music (like one hears on Harmonia.
Sorry if I missed you too, Holly. I was engrossed in some other work, but usually enjoy peoplewatching. I saw at least one other librarian there. It looks like you are having fun and doing well. It is different to now have your mother in class. It is interesting to see what traits you share and differ.
Well, that's it. Ciao.
By
Dr. Drew, at Tuesday, February 21, 2006 11:54:00 PM
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