Question: Is it ever ok to find humor in the Holocaust? This is not a new subject for discussion. Many agree that one can laugh at Nazis, but not the Holocaust, not the victims. After all, laughing at someone takes away their power (e.g., The Producers’ “Springtime for Hitler”).
What do you think?
With this as a background, I highly recommend seeing the recent Oscar-winning film, JoJo Rabbit, written and directed by New Zealand’s Taika Waititi, who bravely even plays Adolph Hitler in the film. As he says, “What better way to insult Hitler than having him portrayed by a Polynesian Jew?”
Set in WWII, “JoJo is a 10 year-old German boy who idolizes Adolf Hitler, but is forced to reconsider his ideals when he discovers that his mother is hiding a young Jewish girl in their house.” Like Life is Beautiful, seeing this environment through the eyes of a child reminds us of how fragile we all are. We look to the children to take our world to a better place.
This film is an artistic, visual masterpiece. The Academy Award-winning screenplay is exquisite. You’ll find yourself involuntarily laughing (at the absurdity of Nazis) while half holding your breath in tension.
The cast includes talent from Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell, even Rebel Wilson, but it is the boy, Roman Griffin Davis, who completely carries the film, appearing in nearly every scene.
In these days of increased anti-Semitism and overall cruelty toward the Others in our society, JoJo Rabbit is a brilliant treatment of an uncomfortable reality. I will remember this film.
What do you think?
With this as a background, I highly recommend seeing the recent Oscar-winning film, JoJo Rabbit, written and directed by New Zealand’s Taika Waititi, who bravely even plays Adolph Hitler in the film. As he says, “What better way to insult Hitler than having him portrayed by a Polynesian Jew?”
Set in WWII, “JoJo is a 10 year-old German boy who idolizes Adolf Hitler, but is forced to reconsider his ideals when he discovers that his mother is hiding a young Jewish girl in their house.” Like Life is Beautiful, seeing this environment through the eyes of a child reminds us of how fragile we all are. We look to the children to take our world to a better place.
This film is an artistic, visual masterpiece. The Academy Award-winning screenplay is exquisite. You’ll find yourself involuntarily laughing (at the absurdity of Nazis) while half holding your breath in tension.
The cast includes talent from Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell, even Rebel Wilson, but it is the boy, Roman Griffin Davis, who completely carries the film, appearing in nearly every scene.
In these days of increased anti-Semitism and overall cruelty toward the Others in our society, JoJo Rabbit is a brilliant treatment of an uncomfortable reality. I will remember this film.
