After the Fact : The Holocaust in Twenty-First Century Documentary Film
Author(s): Brad Prager
After the Fact studies the terrain of Holocaust documentaries subsequent to the turn of the twenty-first century. Until now most studies have centered primarily on canonical films such as Shoah and Night and Fog, but over the course of the last ten years filmmaking practices have altered dramatically. Changing techniques, diminishing communities of survivors, and the public's response to familiar, even iconic imagery, have all challenged filmmakers to radically revise and newly envision how they depict the Holocaust. Innovative styles have emerged, including groundbreaking techniques of incorporating archival footage, survivor testimony, and reenactment. Carrying wider implications for the fields of Film Studies, Jewish Studies, and Visual Studies, this book closely analyzes ten contemporary and internationally produced films, most of which have hardly been touched upon in the critical literature or elsewhere.
Review(s):
“Prager’s discussions contain penetrating insights into significant ethical issues of Holocaust representations such as fidelity to historical truths, the emotional impact and educational value of Holocaust documentaries, the handling of survivor testimony, and the questionable use of perpetrator images from propaganda films.” – German Studies Review
ISBN: 9781623564445