Defamation
- Posted: 21st Oct 2010
- Category: Reviews
By Laura Thornley
When Defamation hit the festival circuit last year it's unveiling was the subject of much discussion and perhaps some controversy too. But that may not be so surprising considering the subject matter. Yoav Shamir’s upfront look at the Jewish experience of anti-Semitism today makes for a thoroughly captivating and thought provoking documentary – well deserving of Best Doc at the London Film Festival last year.
The film opens with the director’s confession that he has never himself experienced anti-Semitism but that it is a phrase he is all too used to hearing in his home country. The film thus embarks on an exploration of how, when and by whom, anti-Semitism and new anti-Semitism is experienced today. All points on the spectrum of experience get a good airing but it’s impossible to miss the strength of the filmmaker’s voice throughout, which leans towards a left wing, forward-looking stance.
Shamir concentrates his focus on Abe Foxman, the leader of the Anti Defamation League, and Norman Finkelstein, ostracized academic and author of “Beyond Chutzpah: On the misuse of Anti-Semitism and the abuse of history”; polar opposites in the debate about the existence of anti-Semitism. Neither ends of the argument get off lightly, with the charismatic Foxman occasionally coming across as the hard line director of an inflammatory organization and Finkelstein a slightly unstable ex-professor whose wacky ideas have left him out in the cold. The doc also follows the preparation and visit of a group of Israeli teenagers to Auschwitz, an activity that has risen from 500 a year to 30,000 in the last 20 years. Shamir’s camera hints towards borderline political indoctrination as the children are drilled on the hostility they are likely to experience in Poland, solidified by the Israeli secret agent that must accompany them.
The documentary’s tone may have been its saving grace for many audiences. Despite the potential to offend, the director manages to present a balanced account that is wryly funny, with extremely well-timed cuts that make for harder hitting revelatory moments. For instance a scene at Auschwitz sees an Israeli man speak intimately about his concern over his nation’s obsession with death, abruptly interrupted by a man informing him he cannot sit there because that is where twenty people died. Shamir is clever enough however, to counter each comment with its equal and opposite argument, echoing the myriad complications that surround this debate. After hearing that a Russian Synagogue had been the victim of an anti-Semitic attack, he goes to investigate how its worshippers feel about their safety. The filmmaker is quickly and abruptly informed by a member of the group that there is no such thing as anti-Semitism, it simply doesn’t exist.
As with all good documentaries, the film throws up far more questions than it could ever hope to answer. If nothing else it certainly serves to highlight the deep complexities of anti-Semitism and the Israeli state’s relationship with the US. It manages to give plenty of food for thought and to present a clear and accessible look at a subject matter that so desperately needs to be addressed. Compelling viewing.
Dir. Yoav Shamir, Israel-Austria-U.S.-Denmark 2009, 93mins, English/German
Defamation is released on DVD by Dogwoof on 1st November. For more information visit defamation-thefilm.com