AJFF: ‘Germans & Jews’ and Conflicted History
By Sarah Moosazadeh | sarah@atljewishtimes.com
The Holocaust ended with Germany’s defeat in World War II, but the harsh reality and memories still resonate with many survivors and Germans. “Germans & Jews” explores the present-day attitudes of Jews and non-Jews in Berlin.
Guilt, grief and sadness are among the emotions non-Jewish Germans feel after learning about the Holocaust, but do they share the same opinions about the atrocities of the past?
Berlin is filled with monuments, memorials and museums in remembrance of the Holocaust, but do Germans care for them? Interviews with professors, teachers and journalists reveal a generational clash between those who committed the crimes and those who wish to hold them accountable.
As history progresses and fascism and communism continue to compete in postwar Germany, Berlin residents must face a new set of social changes.
A dinner among Jewish and non-Jewish Germans throughout the documentary reveals common perceptions within both groups. Because most non-Jewish Germans have never met any Jews, they feel awkward about what to say and how to approach the subject of the Holocaust.
On the other hand, the documentary portrays many Jewish Germans at ease with their homeland. Germany has even become a haven for Israelis seeking to find professional employment within the arts.
The film also documents the backlash of young Germans who no longer feel connected to the past or the Holocaust. Bombarded with information about World War II through newspapers, TV programs and memorials, most German millennials feel no guilt about the Holocaust and would like to move on.
Meanwhile, refugees and immigrants from the Middle East are carrying anti-Semitic ideology throughout Europe.
“Germans & Jews” faces the fundamental question many people have asked for decades: Is Germany still anti-Semitic?
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