Holofiction documentary uses film clips to tell Holocaust story

A new documentary, 'Holofiction,' offers a unique cinematic approach to the Holocaust by constructing its narrative entirely from clips of other films. Directed by Michal Kosakowski, the film streams on Hot 8 and is available on Hot VOD and Next TV starting August 2.

'Holofiction' eschews dialogue, using only background music to accompany thousands of clips from well-known and lesser-known films about the Holocaust. This includes major productions like 'Schindler's List' and 'The Pianist,' as well as television miniseries and even episodes of 'The Twilight Zone' and 'Star Trek' that featured Holocaust themes. The film also draws from European cinema, such as the 1949 Czech drama 'Distant Journey.'

The documentary begins by showcasing scenes of Jewish life before the war, with Kosakowski skillfully blending shots from different movies to create montages of celebrations and family gatherings. The film then transitions to depict the escalating persecution, including impressive montages of Nazis marking Jewish stores and Jews being forced to scrub sidewalks. It progresses through scenes of hiding, Nazi meetings, the construction of concentration camps, and the roundup of Jews, culminating in depictions of killings.

The film identifies each clip by its title and year of release but omits actor names. The director's skill lies in juxtaposing images from various films to create a cohesive, albeit somber, narrative. The documentary prompts a critical look at how the Holocaust has been represented in cinema, a topic that has inspired more films than perhaps any other historical event.

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Fiction is a transgression. It is my belief that the depiction of certain things is prohibited.