Who Shall Live and Who Shall Die?

Who Shall Live and Who Shall Die? is a provocative documentary directed by Laurence Jarvik in 1981. Featuring powerful interviews with the likes of political activist Peter Bergson, influential US Representative Emanuel Celler, and prominent Zionist diplomat Nahum Goldman, the movie investigates the uncomfortable questions of America's often unsettling response to the Holocaust.

The film centers on the triggering question: could the United States and their Allies have done more to prevent the horrific extermination of six million Jews during WWII? As the camera pans across the faces of survivors, politicians, and historians, the viewer is brought into the heart of a controversy that still resonates today.

Peter Bergson, one of the main interviewees and a significant figure during World War II, was a young Jewish activist from Palestine who became a tenacious advocate for the Jewish community in America. His underground movement fought fervently against the bureaucratic inertia and antisemitism he believed was rampant in U.S. government agencies. The movie offers insights into Bergson's strategic publicity campaigns to draw attention to the Nazi atrocities in Europe, and his relentless efforts to push for an active U.S. rescue plan for Jews.

Another pivotal character in the film is Emanuel Celler who was the longest-serving Congressman in U.S. history. Celler, who himself was Jewish, provides critical insight into the barriers he faced while attempting to transcend party lines and make meaningful legislative change though he encountered resistance from an isolationist Congress that was still feeling the traumatic aftermath of World War I.

Lastly, Nahum Goldman's participation adds another layer to the story. Goldman, a seasoned diplomat and a key player in international Jewish politics, elucidates the often-complicated interplay between Zionist organizations, international politics, and the impacts these dynamics had on decision making during the war.

Who Shall Live and Who Shall Die? comprises heartbreaking testimonies from Holocaust survivors, as well as powerful interviews with other relevant figures such as Ben Hecht and Arthur S. Rosenblatt. Combined with comprehensive archival footage and haunting images of death camps like Auschwitz and Dachau, the film conveys a genuine tension over the moral responsibility of a nation in times of global crisis.

Yet, the film is more than a recounting of historical events; it's a profound exploration of moral complexities, political interests, and human rights on a global scale. With each story and memory shared, the film grows in strength and poignancy, urging viewers to contemplate their own notions of accountability and political power.

Throughout the narrative, Jarvik methodically peels back the layers of assumptions about the Holocaust, examining the deeds and misdeeds of government machinery. The film navigates the strains and intricacies of American and international politics and its direct consequences on countless lives. It is less an indictment and more a revelation of the chilling vacillation and hesitation born from political and societal factors during one of humanity’s darkest periods.

One of the film's many strengths is its unflinching interrogation of how public sentiment, political complacency, and discriminatory bias within the U.S. during WWII intersected and contributed to a lack of timely action. The disturbing questions raised by the film are bound to resonate deeply with audiences, prompting introspection and discussion about societal and political responsibility both in the past and in the present day.

Beyond its insightful analysis, Who Shall Live and Who Shall Die? serves as a sobering reminder of the Holocaust's horrors. It's a heartfelt tribute to the victims of the Holocaust, a teary nod to those who fought to save them, and an angry uncovering of the complacency and prejudice that allowed such a tragedy to occur.

In conclusion, Who Shall Live and Who Shall Die? held by its historical importance, is a compelling documentary that explores the often forgotten or under-examined aspects of the Holocaust. This film is not only an exploration of the past, but a reflection on our present and future, encouraging us to question our understandings of responsibility, accountability, and human rights in the face of atrocity. The cast, including Peter Bergson, Emanuel Celler, Nahum Goldman, and others, all bring life to this powerful narrative that stretches far beyond the years of World War II, reaching out to audiences today with its timeless relevance.