Amen
Yesteraday I watched Costa Grava’s “Amen”. It is a docudrama about an SS official trying to denounce the genocide of jews during WWII. The plot revolves between this official (Gerstein) and a catholic priest (Riccardo) while they try to urge the pope to publicly repudiate the massacre of Jews. The pope, as we now know, never did. Neither have anyone else. The movie shows the political agendas of the Vatican, and explores the reasons why the US and American jews were so bland on the issue (at one point, a cardinal points out “No country is willing to receive expatriate jews…specially empty handed jews), but for me that is beyond the point. For me the heart of the matter is simpler:
“Who gives a fuck?”
Why risk my skin or even get out of my way for the sake of others? Who cares if people are (still) starving in Uganda? If Iraqis (military, terrorists?) are being tortured? If children are being murdered in Rio de Janeiro a few blocks from 5 star Copacabana Palace? If girls are sent to slavery and prostitution in Para? I don’t.
I am worried about the apartment I have to buy. About how boring my day will probably be tomorrow. I worry about my savings account and brazilian interest rates. I donate a small amount of my monthly salary to help me not to think about the rest of the world.
And that is true of 99% of the people in the world.
Since the movie is based on a true story, it does not end in climatic redemption. Riccardo the priest, chose to die in a gas chamber alongside innocent jews. Gerstein prepared a detailed report about the atrocities he was part of (despite his effort in trying to expose and stop them) and delivered it to the allies, who arrested them. He hanged himself in the cell leaving his wife and four children. Gerstein closest colleague in the SS, the one that sent Riccardo to the gas chamber, fled to Rome and then found asylum in Argentina where he lived, presumably peacefully to the rest of his life, as a physician.
Amen
“Who gives a fuck?”
Why risk my skin or even get out of my way for the sake of others? Who cares if people are (still) starving in Uganda? If Iraqis (military, terrorists?) are being tortured? If children are being murdered in Rio de Janeiro a few blocks from 5 star Copacabana Palace? If girls are sent to slavery and prostitution in Para? I don’t.
I am worried about the apartment I have to buy. About how boring my day will probably be tomorrow. I worry about my savings account and brazilian interest rates. I donate a small amount of my monthly salary to help me not to think about the rest of the world.
And that is true of 99% of the people in the world.
Since the movie is based on a true story, it does not end in climatic redemption. Riccardo the priest, chose to die in a gas chamber alongside innocent jews. Gerstein prepared a detailed report about the atrocities he was part of (despite his effort in trying to expose and stop them) and delivered it to the allies, who arrested them. He hanged himself in the cell leaving his wife and four children. Gerstein closest colleague in the SS, the one that sent Riccardo to the gas chamber, fled to Rome and then found asylum in Argentina where he lived, presumably peacefully to the rest of his life, as a physician.
Amen
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