COMPLICIT Film Premieres to Praise

Documentary film exploores the impact of WWII Jewish refugee issues on Roosevelt legacy through mythical courtroom drama that puts Franklin D Roosevelt on trial for complicity in Crimes Against Humanity
By: SS ST Louis Legacy Project Foundation
 
BOCA RATON, Fla. - May 8, 2013 - PRLog -- COMPLICIT premieres to praise....

On May 6 a sold out audience at the Movies of Delray in Delray Beach, Florida applauded and praised producers and surviving passenger of the SS St Louis after the premiere showing of COMPLICIT. The documentary film explores the impact of the WWII Jewish refugee issue on the Roosevelt legacy through a mythical courtroom drama that puts Franklin D Roosevelt on trial for complicity in Crimes Against Humanity.  Herbert Karliner, Miami resident, one of the dwindling number of surviving passengers of the SS St Louis, the ship carrying over 900 Jewish refugees escaping Nazi terror and turned away by the United States in 1939 described his experience to the enthralled audience.  Following the film showing a lengthy question and answer period conducted by Robert Krakow, Executive Director, and Ruth Ann Kalish, Associate Director, included questions about Eleanor Roosevelt's role in the tragedy, the sentiment of the Department of State, the role of the American Jewish community, as well as personal questions to Mr. Karliner.  Karliner described his experiences in hiding in France, his eventual arrival in America in 1947, and his proud service in the US Army during the Korean War.  The film showed footage of the moving ceremony in September 2012 during which Willliam Burns, Deputy Secretary of State officially apologized to a delegation of surviving passengers of the SS St Louis.  Candid interviews with some of the heroic refugees highlighted the extraordinary contributions they have made to American society and their pride in becoming Americans.  Members of the audience applauded the producers and Karliner and thanked them for the ongoing work of the Foundation.

The film, produced by the SS St Louis Legacy Project, is part of the Foundation's extensive program of education through drama.  In addition to the five showings for the premiere run at the Movies of Delray and the Movies of Lake Worth, future showings are planned throughout the country.  Events in Boston, New Jersey, Milwaukee, and Tucson are booked during the next twelve months.  The mission of the SS St Louis Legacy Project Foundation is to promote greater awareness and dialogue on issues of human rights, immigration and refugee policy.  Through its proprietary education through drama program the Foundation produces events, educational presentations, and curricula that serve a worldwide student body as well as institutional and communal audiences.  Through the efforts of the Foundation working with the US Department of State, in September, 2012, the Foundation brought a delegation of surviving SS St Louis passengers for a historic ceremony in which they were welcomed by Deputy Secretary of State William Burns in the first ever acknowledgment of America's failure to assist the Jewish refugees during the pre-war and WWII period.

Ruth Ann Kalish, Associate Director, SS St Louis Legacy Project Foundation

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Source:SS ST Louis Legacy Project Foundation
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Tags:Jewish, Film, Fdr
Industry:Documentary, Jewish refugees
Location:Boca Raton - Florida - United States
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