Jewish filmmaker Paul Bachow lives with the awareness that he is alive only because his grandmother survived a pogrom in Eastern Europe and her subsequent immigration to America at the age of nine. If his grandmother had survived and stayed in Eastern Europe, his mother would most likely have been one of the 6 million Jews exterminated by the Germans during World War II. Then he would have never have been born. Paul, like so many others, has been plagued with the inability to understand why a nation was so fixated on exterminating Jews and other minorities. This film attempts to answer why the Holocaust and other genocides happened and why genocide continues to happen even after the Holocaust.
“Nobody has made a film like this before.” -Philadelphia Independent Film Festival
This is film is very different than other Holocaust films as it attempts to answer so many of the questions most people have but cannot answer. A Journey into the Holocaust provides a critical vantage point for viewers to understand genocide, the suffering, murdering, and helplessness of victims. Fourteen Survivors of the Holocaust and pogroms bring to life an extensive collection of historical video, illustrations, and photos. Through this film, you will be able to understand what life as a Jew was like in Europe before, during and after WWII.
“This is the best documentary on the Holocaust we have ever seen.” -Palm Beach International Film Festival
There are only a few elements needed to have a genocide. The signs of hatred and religious, ethnic, racial prejudice are often right in front of us. Where does this prejudice come from and can we ever eliminate it? Experts retrace the history of anti-Semitism and its deep roots in Europe.
“This is a highly informative and accessible film for public audiences who want to understand the Holocaust.” -Next Generations
What were the Germans thinking? They were not forced to commit genocide, they did it voluntarily. How were ordinary German citizens mentally able to pull the trigger of hand pistols six inches away from the heads of total strangers? And how could they do it day after day, week after week and month after month even though with each shot they were splattered with blood and brains?
There are many lessons that can be learned from the Holocaust. However, since the Holocaust there have been over 50 genocides or mass atrocities, resulting in the deaths of 12 to 24 million people. Everyone needs to understand its lessons, including the roots of genocide. The more aware we become of the warning signs, the quicker we can act to protect our families and move to reduce what continues to be a continuous global stream of genocidal events, bullying, discrimination, and persecution.
Restricted to educators. A place where educators can share ideas and materials.
Photos, audio and videos of Survivors
A variety of selected articles, documents, videos, lists and maps for the curious.
Photos relating to the Holocaust, genocide and the film.
A detailed and deeply personal exploration into why the Holocaust, other genocides and mass atrocities happened and continue to happen around the world, again and again – even in modern times.