A Film Unfinished

In this compelling documentary, director Yael Hersonski delves into a fascinating yet troubling exploration of a Nazi-produced film documenting the daily life within the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. The unfinished movie, discovered after the war and lacking sound, was initially used by historians as an authentic record despite its clear propagandistic intent. However, when a long-missing reel was later found, it revealed the manipulated nature of these "everyday" scenes, exposing the complex dynamic between Jewish inhabitants and their captors. The film serves as a haunting reminder of how ordinary life continued alongside horrific atrocities, with affluent Jews attending lavish events while inadvertently stepping over deceased compatriots. Through Hersonski's powerful lens, we are invited to confront the uncomfortable truths hidden within this chilling historical artifact.