… enough with the holocaust movies!
by Sturdy
Just writing that title makes me feel like I have to start out with the caveat; this is not an anti-Semitic article. This has nothing to do with religion, it has everything to do with Hollywood milking a particular subject matter for all its worth and cramming it down our throats. They do it with remakes, TV shows to movies, sequels and countless other types of movies, it was only a matter of time before they overdid the holocaust films.
I still haven’t seen the reader…
I assume that there was a genuine desire amongst the powers that be in Hollywood to put the events of the holocaust on film so that the event will never be forgotten. I understand that, but I don’t think we’re in danger of ever forgetting about the holocaust. It was one of the most horrific events in the history of the world, so although there’s a risk it won’t be a normal topic of conversation, there’s little chance it will ever be forgotten. If they never made another film about the holocaust, the event will still remain a major part of film lore. Also, is the reason for making so many holocaust films steeped in a desire to preserve the memory, or a desire to make money by capitalizing on a popular subject?
The ultimate holocaust movie
But the biggest problem I have right now with holocaust movies is that they’ve numbed me to the event. I actually visited Anne Frank’s house about 15 years ago and it was a very powerful, excruciatingly painful experience. Movies like SCHINDLER’S LIST and others recaptured that pain and it resonated on film. But with recent holocaust films, I don’t have the same reaction. It’s not that they’re lesser films, it’s that the holocaust doesn’t have the same impact because I’ve seen it recounted and replayed so many times. It’s sad, but I’m actually numb to the events of the holocaust.
Good take on the holocaust.
As it turns out, I actually like most films that deal with the holocaust. The three films last year that dealt with the holocaust were all pretty good and at least they found some new angles on the event. With the few exceptions, most holocaust films are done pretty well and usually have powerful performances. But the novelty of the event has worn off. THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS was an incredibly sad film, but it didn’t hit me as hard because it relied too heavily on the sadness of the holocaust to drive the film. Fifteen years ago, it would have worked, but now audiences are too numb to the tragedy and it fails to evoke the emotions it used to.
Not bad, but it didn’t tug the heartstrings like it tried to
The answer isn’t to never make another holocaust film, the answer is to make fewer and maybe give them a rest for a while. Between the three holocaust films and three WWII films last year, we had six films that either directly or indirectly dealt with the holocaust. Everyone knows that the holocaust was horrible, but we need a break from seeing the event in the theaters.