Protocols of Zion

Protocols of Zion is a provocative and insightful 2005 documentary film directed by the accomplished Marc Levin. This critically acclaimed movie is not just a motion picture – it's as much a profound reflection on the state of America in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks, as it is an incisive commentary on one of the darkest fringes of society - conspiracies and virulent antisemitism. Throughout the film, Levin leverages his excellent touch as a filmmaker to expose and unpack the infamous anti-Semitic text, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, and its disturbing influence in the 21st century.

The film introduces us to a number of prominent figures including the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and well-known actress Joanne Baron, all of whom participate in, and help to elucidate this complex narrative. Levin acts as our guide on this intrepid journey; his directorial style, personal approach, and his charisma make the information and conversations both relatable and captivating.

The film commences with Marc Levin recounting an encounter he had with a New York taxi driver, who had insisted that the Jews were notified not to go to work at the World Trade Center on 9/11, thus linking them with the horrific incident. Such outrageous assertions, rooted in the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, prompt Levin to delve into this outlandish conspiracy theory and its unsettling implications.

Throughout his journey, Levin explores a variety of landscapes and subcultures across America where he interviews a unique array of individuals ranging from hate-spewing skinheads to the publishers of the Protocols. He takes viewers into white supremacist gatherings, manages to secure interviews with Arab and Muslim Americans who continue to propagate this theory, and even converses with rabbis who attempt to combat it. Levin’s encounters paint an alarming portrait of the widespread influence and tenacity of this ancient scourge.

To better understand the origins, Levin turns to historians who debunk the ‘Protocol’s’ supposed Jewish conspiracy, tracing its genesis to a time of heightened anti-Semitic sentiment in Russia. Meanwhile, every potent dialogue and confrontation that Levin navigates through is interspersed with historical footage, providing the necessary contextual background while adding a cinematic flair that elevates the narrative above a simple documentary recounting.

Levin's personal family history with the Holocaust adds a potent layer of emotion to the narrative, as this isn’t simply a hypothetical exploration for him. His passionate quest for truth uncovers not just the specific fallacies of the Protocols but also exposes the larger social disease of hate and prejudice when left unchecked.

His interview with Kofi Annan underscores the global perspective on this issue and how the United Nations has addressed such hate speech. The actress Joanne Baron features prominently in the film and delivers a heartrending performance expressing the emotional toll of this hate-speech-based extremism on ordinary people. The personal and the political intertwine seamlessly in “Protocols of Zion”, and the viewer is left to confront the deep, unsettling roots of bigotry and prejudice in society.

Prominent throughout the film is the provocative use of media, symbolism, and mirroring, an effective tool utilized by Levin to prompt critical thought even as he addresses these difficult themes. In an era marked by the rise of fake news and the propagation of misinformation, Protocols of Zion feels intensely timely, aptly addressing how conspiracy theories and misinformation can seep into the seams of society, perpetuating hate and discord.

By the end of Protocols of Zion, we are left with a chilling window into an often unseen corner of society, where hate festers in the shadows of ignorance. While the film doesn't provide easy answers or simple solutions, it does serve as a potent wake-up call to face these issues head-on. The documentary elucidates the great challenge that lies before each of us; the onus of personal responsibility to interrogate and challenge hate speech and bigotry in our societies, and the effort required to debunk misinformation and ensure the propagation of truth.

Gritty, thought-provoking, and ultimately deeply unsettling, Protocols of Zion offers more than mere viewing material - it's a remarkably well-crafted visual journey across the dark landscape of bias and bigotry, unlocking the doors to disturbing truths and opening our eyes to the alarmingly relevant reminders of unchecked hatred.