Freedom to hate

Description

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ray Errol Fox took extraordinary personal risks documenting the new form of anti-Semitism emerging in the former Soviet Union. While Russian anti-Semitism has been a constant in that country s troubled history, it has been unleashed with disturbing virulence by the nationalist movement, "Pamyat." The freedom unleashed by Glasnost, Gorbachev and Yeltsin has included the freedom to hate. The popularity of ultranationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky is the logical extension of that hatred. Organized black-shirted hate groups are observed spearheading a grass-roots movement against their traditional Jewish scapegoats. Clandestinely made footage shows Pamyat thugs taking over a Writers Union meeting. Pamyat spokesmen stir up and enlist their working class sympathizers with anti-Semitic statements at a town meeting. A rare interview with a KGB major general exposes the present government s indifference to the threatening situation. While Russian Jews now have the freedom to emigrate, they are often victimized in the process. Although there are voices raised in defense of the Jews, such as that of "Babi Yar" poet Yevtushenko, the potential for tragedy is disturbingly imminent. This is a film for anyone concerned with the emergence of neo-fascism and religious hatred wherever they may occur. The filmmaker is available for speaking engagements with the film.

Runtime

59 min

Subjects

Geography

Genre

Date of Publication

1994

Database

Alexander Street

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