A Film Unfinished - Ariel Lathrom

Anymore, I am not surprised by the cruelty of some people. We have a history full of violence and brutality. Although it doesn't surprise me anymore, it never ceases to disturb and disgust me. "A Film Unfinished" was the first to surprise me in a while. The film exposed the true intentions and actions of the Nazi's in the Warsaw ghettos. Because I live in a relatively peaceful place, it's hard to empathyze with the victims shown in the film. I have money, shelter, good food, and material possessions. I could never imagine living without these things. The victims in the film seemed to be without some or even all of these things.

I figured my initial reaction to the film would be anger toward the Nazi's, but instead I was only sad. When I see people doing aweful things, or just the effects of them (such as the extreme poverty in the film), I can only wish to help. I never could have, even if I wanted to, but I still sympathize with the victims who lived through the poverty and brutality.

While some images in the film were sad, others seemed like it was nothing more than everyday life, like people walking on the streets or going to the store. Even though this footage was somewhat decieving, you can still see the sadness in their faces, especially the children's faces, because they probably don't understand the situation. There was so much footage, but almost no one was smiling. Almost no Jew seemed like they were having a great time being filmed.

When I learned that a lot of the "normal" seeming scenes in the film were staged and used actors, I was deeply annoyed. It raises questions for me. Why would they choose to film in the first place if it's so difficult to hide the sadness in the faces of the people on the streets? And, of course, "Why do any of those things at all?" While the film was informitive and interesting, it always evoked more questions than it does provide answers. I can only keep wondering how people would do those brutal things that they did to their fellow men and women.

My reaction to the film ends with my palm to my face and a sad, drawn-out sigh.