This powerful film traces the origins of antisemitism in France from the Middle Ages to the 19th century Dreyfus Affair. At the same time, Ziv examines France’s unique history of offering citizenship to its Jewish inhabitants when no other European country would, dating back to the French revolution, and how the anti-discrimination statutes written down in law were not necessarily applied. Combining personal and collective narratives, the film showcases how the depiction of “the Jew” in society established an ideology of hate that eventually led to the Holocaust. In the aftermath of the war, a devastated France continued this ideology of antisemitism that set the stage for a modern wave of anti-Jewish attacks, including the murders of Ilan Halimi and Mireille Knoll during the early 21st century.

Accompanying the film premiere is a discussion with director Ilan Ziv and moderator Dr. Hana Barouk. To view the conversation please click here.

────────────────────

Sponsored by Cindy & Mark Soloway.

The Miami Jewish Film Festival virtual program is made possible with the generous support of Benjamin Nahum and Tamar Roodner.