‘genocide’ Wins an Oscar

The film “Genocide,” which depicts the rise to power of Nazism in Germany and the Holdcaust which followed, was honored last night by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with an Oscar for the best feature-Length documentary.

In accepting the award, Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center at Yeshiva University of Los Angeles, who co-authored the film’s script, said that the film “is dedicated to the million of victims of the Holocaust; they have no graves but their memories will live on until the end of time.” Hier also thanked Wiesenthal, the famed Nazi-hunter, who provides the prologue in the film, “as the man who stood alone for more than three decades so that the world will not forget.”

“Genocide,” a unique multi-image documentary produced by Hier and Arnold Schwartzman, combines historical narrative with actual stories of ordinary people caught up in the Nazis’ reign of terror. Elizabeth Taylor and Orson Welles contributed their talent and time to co-narrate the film. British historian Martin Gilbert co-authored the film’s script. It began its national tour in New York City earlier this month and was hailed by a number of film critics.

Hier, in commenting about the Motion Picture Academy’s recognition of the film, said: “The honor is much more significant with the knowledge that because of it millions of people throughout the world, especially young people, will be exposed to the film’s important message..that the Holocaust was, to a large extent, preventable; that the apathy and the indifference of a silent majority which allowed National Socialism to strike roots in the first place are not tied to any specific time or place; that such complacency even exists today — in our own country.”

NCJW-FUNDED FILM ALSO WINS AN OSCAR

An Oscar for the best documentary short subject was also presented last night for “Close Harmony,” a film made possible by the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) Brooklyn Section and produced by Nigel Noble.

Filmed at the NCJW Council Center for Senior Citizens in Brooklyn, the film tells of the senior citizens’ chorus and the children’s choir from the Brooklyn Friends School about to participate in a joint concert.

When the music teacher, Arlene Symons who works with both groups, discovers the seniors’ isolation from others and the youngsters’ feelings that “old people don’t like kids,” she decides to get the groups together. The “pen pal” project she develops to bridge the generation gap and the early joint rehearsal that brings the groups together for the first time, form the focus of the film.

Since its nationwide premiere on PBS in November, “Close Harmony” has garnered many raves and honors. In January it was shown at the United Nations for some 400 Non-Govermental Organizations’ (NGO) representatives as part of a briefing on the Assembly of the Aging. It is scheduled to kick off the National Conference on Aging in Washington, D.C. tomorrow. The film is also planned for the NGO meeting on the Aging to be held in Vienna March 29 to April 2.