This past winter, I took a class at the Skirball Center for Adult Jewish Learning. The class was titled “Hollywood and the Holocaust.” It was pretty self-explanatory. Eight Weeks. Eight different films, followed by a discussion.
We watched some jewels (Sophie’s Choice, Judgment at Nuremberg, Life is Beautiful) and at least one dud (Boy in the Striped Pajamas). All in all, a good class.
But you know that excitement and joy you get out of going out to a movie theater? That relaxation you feel? A break from the television set only to watch a much larger screen?
Yeah, well those feelings don’t exist when you prepare to watch a Holocaust film. As much as I enjoyed the class, I can’t say that I was as “excited” as I was this weekend when I saw Seth Rogen’s new film, Observe and Report. It is really draining to watch a movie about the Holocaust. And to know that you are going to go through that same experience the next week? Well, it ain’t easy.
Well, now I know what I did was simple child’s play. This girl straight up blew me out of the water in the “How much Holocaust can you take in a day” competition. In case you don’t click on the link, this girl from Schmooze Magazine watched five…count ’em…five Holocaust movies straight!
I can’t even watch five of my favorite movies straight (except if Drumline is involved. I can watch that movie over and over again).
So kudos to that girl. There isn’t much more I can say…Let’s just watch Drumline.
