The Louisville 2009 Jewish Film Festival is underway and last night I viewed a screening of the documentary "Constantine's Sword." The film concerns the life and work of author James Carrol, a former Catholic priest who has spent a decade trying to help Catholics and Christians of all denominations understand the long history of anti-Jewishness in their religion, and the role this moral virus played in setting the stage for the Holocaust.
Carrol detailed the 1,500+ year history of anti-Jewish actions by Christians in a book published nearly a decade ago. This book also bore the title"Constantine's Sword". It raised many troubling questions, but among the most painful is "Why did the Catholic Church, and more specifically, Pope Pius XII, stand silent in the face of compelling evidence that Jews throughout Europe were being systematically murdered by the Nazis in the 1930s and 1940s?"
We may never know the answer to that question, but a more compelling query might be "What would have happened if the Pope had spoken out?'
I think about this alot. This spring I spoke out at a luncheon where the speaker was uttering untrue, virulently anti-Islamic words. I had to bolster my courage to speak. Even when I did confront the speaker, my voice quavered and I stood shaking. I know that speaking up is frightening. We never no what will happen as a result of confronting even something or someone blatantly dangerous.
I wonder what would have happened if when he learned of the monstrous evil of the Holocaust, the Holy Father had stood publicly and said "If the Nazis come for the Jews, they will take me, too. And I urge all of the religious, priests, nuns, bishops, monastics, to also get in line to board the cattle cars whose destination is death."
If he had uttered those words, if he followed them up by joining the Jews, would the Holocaust have been prevented? We won't know. Can't know. History is a fixed place. The Holocaust, despite contemporary clerical deniers, was a reality.
Still, something within me wants to believe that the Nazis would have abandoned the Final Solution. And I must be honest. I wonder if I had been wearing the Shoes of the Fisherman back then would I have had the courage to challenge evil. I don't know. As I admitted earlier, last spring I trembled in the face of someone's evil words; could I have challenged murder? I will wrestle with that for a long time to come.
I invite you to explore the remaining films of the Festival. They are all compelling. Here are the details.
THE DEBT Saturday, February 14 7:30 PM Village 8
In 1964 Rachel Brener is one of three Mossad agents, who capture the "Surgeon of Birkenau", a monstrous Nazi war criminal. In their safe house, at the outskirts of Berlin, the three agents wait for their return to Israel in order to deliver "the Surgeon" for public trial. Before this can happen "The Surgeon" manages to escape. Unable to face their horrible failure, Rachel and her friends decide to fabricate the Surgeon's death and return to Israel as "national heroes".In 1997, "The Surgeon suddenly" resurfaces in the Ukraine, determined to confess to his crimes against humanity. Now, the three ex Mossad agents need to protect their lie.
LOVE AND DANCE Sunday, February 15 2:00 PM Village 8
Chen, a young child, is battling a cultural conflict between his Russian born mother and Israeli father. She is cultured and used to the finer things in life. He is gruff on the outside but sweet on the inside; looking to make his young son a man rather than the wimp his mother is raising. One day, Chen stumbles upon a ballroom dance class for young people and sees Natalie, a stunning Russian young girl he immediately falls in love with. His interest in Natalie leads him to take ballroom dancing and ultimately to bridge the cultural divide of his own family.
CONSTANTINE'S SWORD Monday, February 16 7:00 PM UofL*
Sunday, February 22 7:00 PM Village 8
This is the story of James Carroll, the author of the book Constantine's Sword and a former Catholic priest, on a journey to confront his past and uncover the roots of religiously inspired violence and war. His search reveals a growing scandal involving religious infiltration of the U.S. Military and the terrible consequences of religion's influence on America's foreign policy. The film brings the history of religious intolerance to life, tracing it as a source of the fanaticism that threatens the world today.*University of Louisville screening is free of charge. Location: Chao Auditorium, Ekstrom Library, parking available in Speed Museum Parking Garage
THE SECRETS Tuesday, February 17 7:00 PM Village 8
Naomi postpones marriage to the prodigy of her orthodox father to study at the Jewish seminary for women in the ancient Kabalistic seat of Safed following her mother's death. Her quest for individuality takes a defiant turn when she befriends Michelle, a free-spirited, headstrong student. Their unlikely alliance is jeopardized by their relationship with a mysterious terminally ill tortured soul shunned by the community for her crime for passion. Together, they attempt topurge her sins through a series of secret rituals.Rated:
RUN SECRET Thursday, February 19 7:00 PM Village 8
This compelling story of passion and guilt and tells the tale of a long-hidden truth and the consequences that arise from trying to hide it. Francois, a Jewish boy living in post World War II Paris, pieces together his parents' past and discovers a secret within his family, as they are caught up in forces beyond their control. The film is the winner of 10 nominations and awarded the Grand Prize of the Americas at Montreal Film Festival. Rated: R
NOODLE Saturday, February 21 7:30 PM Village 8
Miri, a widowed 37 year old El Al flight attendant, is unexpectedly grounded when she finds herself saddled with an abandoned young Chinese boy. In attempting to return the boy to his migrant-worker mother who has been deported from Israel, she embarks upon a remarkable journey full of drama and humor that brings deep meaning to her life. The film was nominated for 9 Israeli Academy Awards and is the winner of Montreal World Film Festival Award.
PRAYING FOR LIOR Sunday, February 22 2:00 PM Village 8
This film introduces Lior Liebling, a boy with down syndrome, and who has spent his entire life praying with utter abandon. Lior lost his mother at age six, and her words and spirit hover over the film. While everyone agrees Lior is closer to god, he's also a burden, a best friend, an inspiration, and an embarrassment, depending on which family member you ask. As Lior approaches bar mitzvah, different characters provide a window into life spent "praying with lior." The movie poses difficult questions such as what is "disability" and who really talks to god? Told with intimacy and humor, the film is a family story, a triumph story, a grief story, a divinely-inspired story.
MAKING TROUBLE Tuesday, February 24 7:00 PM ComedyCaravan $15
This irresistible documentary profiles six great Jewish female comic entertainers: Molly Picon, Fanny Brice, Sophie Tucker, Joan Rivers, Gilda Radner and Wendy Wasserstein. Four of today's leading Jewish female comedians provide the commentary, schmoozing over lunch at Katz's Deli about what it means to be Jewish, female and funny. It includes archival footage from performances by the comedians, giving audiences a glimpse into their lives.
TICKETS $8.50 $6.00 Students · 459-0660 TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE OR ONE HOUR PRIOR TO THE SHOW AT THE THEATER.
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