

America's Role in the Holocaust: Ken Burns on The Most Important Film He Will Ever Make
8 snips Jan 26, 2023
Ken Burns, a renowned documentary filmmaker famous for works like The Civil War, discusses his pivotal film, The U.S. and the Holocaust. He delves into America's complex and often troubling role during this atrocity, including the impact of anti-Semitism on refugee policies. Burns reflects on the lessons history teaches about civic duty and the portrayal of marginalized communities. The conversation also explores how these historical narratives resonate today and highlights the importance of empathy in storytelling.
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Anne Frank’s Father
- Ken Burns opens his Holocaust film with Otto Frank’s immigration struggles.
- This highlights America's culpability in not accepting refugees.
American Awareness and Inaction
- Americans knew about the Holocaust’s horrors, yet resisted aiding refugees.
- Anti-Semitism, eugenics, and xenophobia fueled this resistance.
Breckenridge Long’s Obstruction
- Breckenridge Long, a State Department official, obstructed refugee entry.
- His anti-Semitism reflects broader American sentiment.