About Shoah

July 8, 2004 1:21 AM

I haven't yet spent the nine-and-a-half hours it takes to watch "Shoah" but this sad, floating article makes me want to.
posted by iffley (6 comments total)

I saw the movie in it's entirety during Social Studies in high school. I think I was 14 or 15 then. It's amazing to see a full class of adolescents transform from a state of "why do we have to watch this boring crap" into a dead silent, sad crowd.
posted by swordfishtrombones at 2:11 AM on July 8, 2004

It was shown over two nights about 5+yrs ago on BBC 2 I think.

I channelled hopped to it accidentally & couldn't stop watching.
posted by selton at 2:50 AM on July 8, 2004

Lanzmann's work is very moving. but to me Alain Resnais' 'Nuit et Brouillard' remains the definitive Holocaust film
posted by matteo at 5:31 AM on July 8, 2004

'Nacht und Nebel' is not definitive IMO. The background classical music and bulldozers is a little to much. It is not long enough to define much. 'Shoah', at least, gives a perspective that is more comprehensive, if this event can be comprehensive. I would say the best fiction/non-fiction is "Shop on Main street".
posted by clavdivs at 9:45 AM on July 8, 2004

i really enjoyed the article. it is unusual to read a critical review where the author writes with absolute authority on one hand and such poetic skill on the other. thanks for posting it.
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 11:41 AM on July 8, 2004

I saw it when I was in Hebrew School. It was a requirement for confirmation. Amazingly moving film.
posted by SisterHavana at 12:35 PM on July 8, 2004