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Adapted from the autobiographical graphic novel “Second Generation” by Michel Kichka, this animated film takes a unique perspective on the lasting impact of the Holocaust. Kichka’s father, Henri, survived Auschwitz, but when the story begins in the late 1950s, he is a reserved and guarded individual who keeps his office and memories locked away, hidden from his five children. Set in a pastel-colored Belgian town, the audience is introduced to a teenage Michel, voiced by Ilan Galkoff, while the older Michel (narrated by David Baddiel) provides commentary throughout. Michel and his younger brother Charley (voiced by Skye Bennett) are vaguely aware of their family’s Jewish heritage, but it is not until they use it as an excuse to skip religious education classes that they truly contemplate their identity.
However, when the televised 1960 trial of Adolf Eichmann becomes a must-watch for all Jewish families in the neighborhood, Michel and Charley become increasingly interested in their father’s story. Despite his reluctance to discuss it with his children due to the painful nature of the topic, their father takes on a sense of duty and becomes a prominent speaker on the Holocaust, appearing on TV and leading tours of the camps. As Michel becomes more observant, he begins to notice both subtle and blatant instances of antisemitism in his surroundings, from schoolmates teasing him to a girlfriend’s father who purposely throws cold water on him when he comes to court her because of his Jewish identity.
This product has 12 certificates and a simplistic visual design, giving the impression that it is partly designed for educational purposes for children of the same age as those in the movie. It also serves as inspiration for discussions about the Holocaust. However, it also focuses on the individual experiences and family dynamics of specific people, leading to a tragic ending that is unrelated to the overall tragedy of the Holocaust. This may be upsetting for younger viewers, but it adds an interesting layer to the film, which may initially seem like a typical coming-of-age story for a young Jewish man from the baby boomer generation.
Source: theguardian.com
