Holocaust Film Series - Autumn 2007

The true story of the Comedian Harmonists, the legendary German singing group that was forced to disband in 1934 as the Nazis came to power because some of their members were Jewish. The film features the original musical performances (lip-synched by the actors), digitally remastered to highlight the group's sophisticated harmonies. The offstage story involves romantic conflicts, Nazi sympathizers, and leadership struggles within the group. It has all the verve and inspiration of the Harmonists themselves. (From The New Yorker review by Bruce Diones.)
This film is rated R.

Co-sponsored by the German Program of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at San Francisco State University .

RSVP required by September 5 to Rachel Isquith at risquith@hcnc.org or 415.777.9060, extension 204. Film screening will be at the Holocaust Center of Northern California, 121 Steuart Street in San Francisco.

The true story of Dr. Miklos Nyiszli, a Hungarian Jew chosen by Josef Mengele to be the head pathologist at Auschwitz. Nyiszli was one of Auschwitz's Sonderkommandos - Special Squads of Jewish prisoners placed by the Nazis in the excruciating moral dilemma of helping to exterminate fellow Jews in exchange for a few more months of life. Together, the Sonderkommandos struggled to organize the only armed revolt that would ever take place at Auschwitz. As the rebellion is about to commence, a group from the unit discovers a 14-year-old girl who has miraculously survived a gassing. A catalyst for their desperate attempt at personal redemption, the men become obsessed with saving this one child, even if doing so endangers the uprising which could save thousands.
This film is rated R.

RSVP required by October 10 to rsvp@hcnc.org or 415.777.9060, extension 0. Film screening will be at the Holocaust Center of Northern California, 121 Steuart Street in San Francisco.

This definitive documentary tells the story of the infamous St. Louis episode as recalled by passengers who made the crossing as children and in readings from the diary of the ship’s captain. In the summer of 1939, the German luxury liner St. Louis sailed from Hamburg to Cuba carrying 937 German Jews who had sold everything to leave Europe for Cuba. The St. Louis was barred entry by Havana and wandered the seas for 30 days, refused haven by every country in the Americas. The ship was forced to return to Europe and passengers were accepted by Holland, France, Belgium, and England. Four months later, World War II began and many of the St. Louis passengers perished in the Holocaust.
This film is not rated.

Co-sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League.

The Armenian Genocide is the complete story of the first genocide of the 20th century- when over a million Armenians died at the hands of the Ottoman Turks during World War I. This is an unprecedented and powerful one-hour documentary.
This film contains graphic material.

Co-sponsored by the Genocide Education Project and the Armenian National Committee

RSVP required by December 5 to rsvp@hcnc.org or 415.777.9060, extension 0. Film screening will be at the Holocaust Center of Northern California, 121 Steuart Street in San Francisco.