Meet the San Francisco filmmaker whose documentary has sparked controversy in Europe, particularly in Poland, where the far-right is up in arms.
Yoav Potash's documentary, Among Neighbors, explores a dark chapter of World War II, focusing on the murder of hundreds of liberated Jews by local Poles at the end of the Holocaust. The film uses a combination of animation and talking heads to delve into the well-documented events, highlighting the stories of a few particular individuals.
However, Poland's political landscape remains under the sway of the hard-right Law and Justice party and its allies. When the documentary was aired and made available for streaming by the broadcaster TVP, it didn't take long for politicians to react. A high-ranking official in the office of President Karol Nawrocki stated that a television station with 'Polish' in its name should not air such content, while others vowed to strip TVP of its license.
This controversy underscores the charged nature of historical inquiry in a world dominated by right-wing populism. It also draws parallels to Donald Trump's pursuit of non-right-wing media in the name of patriotism in the U.S. The Polish equivalent of the FCC has joined the fray, targeting the broadcaster.
The incident highlights how even historically necessary retellings of the Holocaust can become disputed events. Potash, the filmmaker, believes his film is caught in an ongoing campaign by the far right in Poland to whitewash aspects of World War II. Any depiction of Poles as anything other than victims or heroes is met with strong resistance.
Despite the controversy, Among Neighbors has received early praise, including a word-of-mouth screening hosted by Nancy Spielberg. It premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival and received a theatrical release in New York and Los Angeles, with support from USC's Shoah Foundation and the Jewish Story Council. The film has also qualified for the Oscars and will be released in various cities for International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27.
In Poland, the film has been well-received in some parts, with a strong screening at the Warsaw Jewish Film Festival and a subsequent pickup by TVP. However, some officials have criticized it as 'anti-Polish historical manipulation.' Agnieszka Jedrzak, a high-ranking official, posted on X that the movie was 'an anti-Polish historical manipulation,' drawing attention to the broadcaster's name. The post has garnered over 4,000 likes and 300,000 views.
The Polish National Broadcasting Council, akin to the FCC, is investigating TVP's license, with the chairwoman, Agnieszka Glapiak, a right-wing leader, launching an 'explanatory proceeding' involving the film. A TVP spokesperson has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Potash's film aims to explore the complexity of Polish-Jewish relations, including both positive and tragic episodes. He emphasizes that the film is not about painting all Poles with the same brush but rather telling an up-close story of a complicated place.
Poland's modern history has been marked by a rise in antisemitism. A far-right member of parliament, Grzegorz Braun, made controversial remarks outside the gates of Auschwitz, stating that 'Poland is for Poles; other nations have their own countries, including the Jews,' and comparing Jews to Hannibal Lecter. This incident occurred on the anniversary of the Jedwabne massacre, where 340 Jews were burned alive by their Polish neighbors in 1941.
Despite the backlash, TVP's decision to stand by the film is commendable, according to Potash. He draws parallels to the U.S. and its divided society, where leaders may seek to bury unflattering aspects of history.
Potash remains perplexed by the mainstream U.S. neglect of his film, despite its warm reception and strong standing in the documentary world. He expresses hope that the controversy is a growing pain in a dying argument, but remains cautious about the future.
