Italian
A poignant portrayal of fear: A short film on antisemitism in France
A short film directed by Katia Lewkowicz, known for her work on “French Dolls,” is set to make waves across France. This film, which will be broadcast on every French TV network ahead of the UEFA Euro Championship Final on July 14, Bastille Day, delves into the escalating antisemitism in France since the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza.
The Cohen family: A microcosm of Jewish fear
The film centers around the Cohen family, a Jewish family grappling with the fear and anxiety brought on by the rise in antisemitic hate incidents. Each member of the family is affected in different ways, showcasing the multifaceted impact of such hatred. They begin hiding their Judaism, removing their last name from public records, taking down mezuzahs from their door frames, drawing curtains during Jewish holidays, and avoiding any public mention of their Jewish identity. A young Black French man, a friend of the family, witnesses their plight with shock and uproar, adding another layer to the narrative.
The film’s production and message
Produced by the agency Marcel under the initiative of Arthur Essebag, a renowned TV host and producer, and Maurice Levy, the president of Publicis Group, the film aims to express the ”solitude and fear of French Jews since Oct. 7.” Essebag, who runs the banner Satisfaction, emphasized that the film is aimed at everyone, from the silent majority to the youngest, for whom fraternity is an essential value of the French Republic.
Broadcast and reception
The short film was picked up by France Televisions, TF1, and M6, and was broadcast on Bastille Day. It was also released on web platforms, where it quickly went viral, accompanied by the slogan “Retrouvons notre #Fraternité.” The Arc de Triomphe in Paris paid tribute to the film with a line, “Liberté, Egalité,” leaving a blank space in lieu of fraternity, symbolizing the missing element in the current societal climate.
A charged political context
The release of this film coincides with a chaotic political context in France. The hard-left party La France Insoumise has thrived in snap parliamentary elections, despite accusations that its leaders have imported tensions related to the war in Gaza and fueled antisemitism. Jean-Luc Melenchon, the leader of La France Insoumise, referred to the Oct. 7 massacre by Hamas in Israel, which killed over 1200 people, most of whom were civilians, as an “armed offensive by Palestinian forces.”
A surge in antisemitic incidents
Data collected by the interior minister shows a staggering increase in antisemitic hate incidents. During the last quarter of 2023, the number of such incidents increased by 1000% compared to the same period in 2022, and further increased by 300% during the first quarter of 2024. The Israel-Palestine conflict was mentioned in one-third of antisemitic attacks since Oct. 7.
A broader narrative
Essebag was also a producer on “Supernova: The Music Festival Massacre,” a one-hour documentary chronicling the attack perpetrated by Hamas during a music festival in southern Israel. This documentary adds another layer to the narrative, highlighting the broader context of the ongoing conflict and its impact on Jewish communities worldwide.
Reflecting on fraternity
The film’s release on Bastille Day, a day charged with symbols of liberty, equality, and fraternity, serves as a poignant reminder of the values that are at the core of the French Republic. The film’s message, “Retrouvons notre #Fraternité,” calls on viewers to reflect on the importance of fraternity in these challenging times.
As we navigate through these turbulent times, the film serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of hatred and the importance of standing together in solidarity. The story of the Cohen family is not just a portrayal of fear, but a call to action for all of us to uphold the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
