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Menemsha Films is proud to introduce the film La Rafle (The Roundup) to U.S. audiences. This acclaimed French epic, starring Mélanie Laurent and Jean Reno, depicts the true story of France's infamous Vel d'Hiv roundup, when the Jews of Paris were rounded up by French police and sent on a road with no return.
In the summer of 1942, French police carried out an extensive raid on Jews in greater Paris, resulting in the arrest of more than 13,000 people — including 4,000 children. After spending several miserable days in the Vélodrome d’Hiver stadium at the apex of summer with little food or water, families were deported to internment camps elsewhere in France and then, finally, to Auschwitz. With it’s emotionally astute and sensitive exploration of a long taboo subject in France — Jacques Chirac issued a public apology to the citizens of France only in 1995 — the raid, its political backdrop and the exquisite and poignant beauty of Paris during war time are brought to stirring life in writer-director Rose Bosch’s new French cinema classic.
July 16th, 2012 marks the 70th anniversary of these tragic events. We invite you to learn more about the "rafle du Vel d'Hiv", to remember both the great atrocities and incredible kindness which we are capable of inflicting upon and fostering in one another.
Dear Audiences,
I am the writer/director of the film "The Matchmaker", now playing in your local cinema.
I was born in Israel, but spent most of my adolescence in New York where I studied at the Ramaz Yeshiva, so I could keep up my Hebrew. I also studied at Columbia University, and immediately after graduation went back to Israel to serve in the Special Forces of the IDF. I am at home in both America and Israel. Now, I choose to live in Israel, making films in Israel.
Like many Sabras, I had a very difficult time understanding and accepting that the European Jews, like my parents, were ever so hapless during wartime in Europe.
We Israelis were brought up as the "new Jews" and the "super Jews". Empathy toward Holocaust survivors was discouraged. Indeed, we are guilty of a great sin. Our parents suffered greatly "there" and we offered no sympathy "here".
I wrote and directed the film "The Matchmaker" as an homage to my parents. I believe that no matter what the question is, love is always the answer. The film focuses on love to ease survivors' suffering. My parents used much love to create a life for my sister and me, and as sane a life as was possible for them under the circumstances. I find this hugely admirable and a true life lesson.
"The Matchmaker" is my way of sharing my parents' worldview with cinemagoers around the world.
Enjoy the film,
Avi Nesher
Learn more about The Matchmaker, and watch the film's trailer here!
Join us for an important Q & A with Holocaust Survivor Conrad Weiner, following the 3:20 pm Screening of Saviors in the Night Sunday, May 20th, at the Esquire Theatre in Cincinnati!
Come see Saviors in the Night, a true story about a family saved by courageous farmers during the Nazi occupation. Directly after the 3:20 pm screening this Sunday, Conrad Weiner, a Cincinnatian, will discuss the film and his own experience as a holocaust survivor.