I found several things disheartening in Sheri Jankelovitz's arts notebook about the unnecessary spike in Hollywood making Holocaust movies (Mistaken efforts in recent Holocaust films, 12/04/2008).

Forremost, Jankelovitz had the chutzpuh to complain about the film industry’s treatment of the Holocaust because, she argued, the Holocaust is the most covered atrocity of the last century. But not every film about the Holocaust has to take the same somber perspective. For example, I truly think Jankelovitz missed the point of "Life is Beautiful," which is a celebration of the human spirit overcoming unfathomable tragedy and the story of a father protecting his kids from the mental war of the Holocaust. Not only are these Jewish ideals, they were also are humanitarian ones.

As a side note, I also felt that Jankelovitz got too caught up in the idea that the Holocaust was a purely Jewish suffering. Not only were the Jews not the only ones to suffer the ills of the Holocaust, but also the idea that the Jews as a people are still suffering the effects of the Holocaust is a dangerous one.

Back to the original point: What disconcerted me the most was that Jankelovitz complained that all Holocaust films should be measured up to the standard set by "Schindler's Lists" without recognizing the privilege of that film’s existence. Most of the great atrocities committed within and outside of this country do not have such an excellent and knowing film detailing the atrocity for what it really is. So in this time of the holiday season, instead of complaining about what is ultimately an inability to appreciate the millions of different worlds that took part in the atrocity that was the Holocaust, maybe Jankelovitz should appreciate the numerous films, books and documentaries about the Holocaust.

Stephanie Leeb
LSA junior