Rabbi on the left, Oskar Schindler on the right. (photo courtesy of latech.edu)
This movie moment is a favourite of mine
because it is a life affirming moment that renews faith in humanity. (When I say
humanity it is not an idealistic position. I am merely trying to say that for
humans beings to make progress there must be some form of unity which would
require some understanding of our humanity or what makes us human. Divisions are
inevitable when there are those that seek to make progress at the expense of
those stuck in the old ways) This is why all works of art must be life
affirming or celebrate life because the life force is what binds us together
and makes our achievements worthwhile.
When the life force takes shape it makes everything around it bloom and creates
a form for its content as these various appearances make an impression on an
objective reality altering it as the life force continues to spread. If I do
have a religious belief it is in the life force that shapes us and makes us
grow and so allows us to make an impression on whatever objective reality we
encounter.
In
this movie moment the Jewish faith is rekindled and the fire of hope burns all
thanks to a gesture by Oskar Schindler, the war profiteer. The objective
reality up until this point is that the Jewish faith is all but extinguished as
the Jews are brutalized with the intention that they will be annihilated by the
Third Reich headed by Adolf Hitler. It is the close of another working day on Friday and the
sun is setting as the Rabbi continues to offer his labour to Schindler’s
armaments factory in Brunnlitz. There are other workers as well but they remove
themselves upon Schindler’s unexpected approach. He approaches the Rabbi and
asks ‘How are you doing Rabbi?’’Good Herr Director,’ responds the rabbi in a
servile manner as he removes his cap. ‘The sun’s going down,’ says Schindler.
‘Yes it is,’ replies the Rabbi. ‘What day is this? Friday? It is Friday isn’t
it?’ ‘Is it?’ ‘What’s the matter with you? You should be preparing for the
Sabbath. Shouldn’t you?’ Schindler takes a step back as he prepares to leave
and says, ‘I’ve got some wine in my office. Come.’ The Rabbi is stunned as he
and Schindler walk side by side amidst the forces of production in the factory
and the other workers that are still at work.
The lighting suggests the sun
is going down as the working day comes to a close. In the background we
hear the beginning of the prayer hymn of the Jews with the rabbi taking the
lead. As he and Schindler walk side by side we see his silhouette continuously
look up to the silhouette of Schindler in disbelief. Schindler is much taller
of course but within the context of the war economy of Germany Oskar
Schindler, member of the Nazi party, is a giant whereas the Jews are treated
like fleas. This act of benevolence extended by this war profiteer to the rabbi
is an unbelievable event based on the circumstances.
The
shot of the two silhouettes walking side by side cuts to a small congregation
assembled for evening prayers. The Nazi soldiers in their barracks at the
factory are stunned to hear this prayer hymn being recited. In the midst of the
congregation are two candles at the centre of the table which are lit for the
purpose of the ceremony. The flames of both candles contrast with the black and
white atmosphere of the film. Hope has been rekindled. A faith has been
restored.
We
also learn during this moment, as the rabbi recites his prayer, that Schindler
spent millions bribing officials of the Reich and in sustaining his workers.
His armaments factory was also a model of non production during the last months
of the war. The great amount of profits
that he generated during the war, on the backs of cheap Jewish labour, was now
being used to maintain those that brought him this great wealth. This massive
expenditure would turn out to be a wonderful investment because the Nazis were
defeated and most members of the Nazi party were seen as war criminals.
Schindler’s investment in his Jewish labour force would put him on the right
side of history i.e. the progressive side.
This is an amazing movie moment.
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