The Last Survivor

Michael Pertnoy and Michael Kleiman's award-winning documentary focuses on four individuals who survived modern genocides, looking at their respective efforts to educate others on the importance of tolerance while also raising awareness of crimes against humanity. The eldest of the four is Auschwitz survivor Hédi Fried, who relocated to Sweden after losing most of her family during the Holocaust; her outreach effort began after her initial bafflement at contemporary Holocaust denial propaganda. The other three subjects hail from Africa: Justin Semahoro Kimenyerwa, a Banyamulenge tribal member who escaped the internecine conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and secured refugee asylum in the U.S.; Darfur survivor Adam Bashar, a Muslim who relocated to Israel; and Jacqueline Murekatete, who was 10 when she lost her entire family during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Only Murekatete returned to her homeland to resume her life, although she has been a vibrant presence in addressing audiences around the world, including the United Nations General Assembly. Although each of the survivors has a unique life story, together they share a common ground of uncommon eloquence and an indefatigable quest to ensure that the tragedies of the past are neither forgotten nor repeated. Presenting a memorable reminder of the amazing power of the human spirit to not only survive unimaginable horror but also emerge without bitterness or rancor, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)