Language:
English
Year of publication:
2002
Titel der Quelle:
Prooftexts; a Journal of Jewish Literary History
Angaben zur Quelle:
22,1-2 (2002) 200-220
Keywords:
Tlalim, Asher Criticism and interpretation
;
Veiel, Andres, Criticism and interpretation
;
Merkaz le-te'atron Acco (Israel)
;
Arbeit macht frei fun toitland Europa (Theater performance)
;
Al Tiguu Li ba-Shoáh (Documentary film : 1994)
;
Balagan (Documentary film : 1993)
;
Theater
;
Documentary films History and criticism
;
Documentary films History and criticism
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945), and the theater
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945), in motion pictures
;
Children of Holocaust survivors
;
Grandchildren of Holocaust survivors
Abstract:
Describes the controversial Israeli theatrical production "Arbeit macht frei fun Toitland Europa", first presented in 1991 by the Acre Theater Center at Kibbutz Lohamei Haghetaot and in Acre. The performance, staged by actors belonging to the postwar generation and including a Palestinian Arab, parodies Holocaust memorialization in Israel and questions whether the memory of the Holocaust is compatible with ethnic prejudices in Israel and Israeli policy toward Palestinians. The performance inspired two documentary films, the Israeli "Don't Touch My Holocaust" (1994), by Asher Tlalim, and the German film "Balagan" (1993) by Andres Veiel. Compares these films, noting that Veiel somewhat trivializes the tragedy of the Holocaust, as well as the intentions of the performers of the play. Concludes that, having given up the idea of working through the trauma of the Holocaust, the Acre Theater Center also failed to act it out, thus falling between mourning and melancholia.
Note:
A Hebrew version of appeared as:
,
"המורשת הכפולה של Arbeit macht Frei", דוקומנטלי, 2007, 24-45.
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