Lecture by Prof. Dr. John S. Friedman

The trial of John Demjanjuk has brought partial closure to the survivors of Sobibor and the families of those who perished. But it has also raised new and highlighted old questions about the post-Holocaust history of Germany and the Soviet Union as well as about the role of the United States in bringing Nazi war criminals to justice. With the last of the living survivors and perpetrators, what challenges are posed in making a documentary film about the so-called last Nazi trial? Most important, how will the trial shape the legacy of the Holocaust and what impact – legal and otherwise – might it have on future prosecutions of crimes of genocide?

John S. Friedman
is Associate Professor of Media and Communications/American Studies at State University of New York, College at Old Westbury. Prior to this the historian and scientist of comparative literature was fellow, guest lecturer and assistant professor at several universities. In 1985 to 1989 he was the producer of the film »Hotel Terminus: The Life and Times of Klaus Barbie« which received the Academy Award in 1989 for best documentary feature and the 1988 International Critics Prize at the Cannes Film Festival for Best Picture. In 1996 to 2002 he was co-producer/director of  »Stealing the Fire«, a ninety minute documentary about Karl-Heinz Schaab, Saddam Hussein’s top nuclear spy. He is author of several books. His latest production, »The End of Living Memoy«, is a ninety minute documentary on the trial in Germany of John Demjanjuk.