Unlike the vast majority of Holocaust documentaries, Stefan Knerrich's HBO-aired Facing Arthur is almost entirely contemporary in its focus, with just enough historical overview to introduce the subject: an unlikely friendship between 100-year-old Arthur Lederman, the only member of his Jewish family to survive the Nazi genocide, and Christoph Erbsloeh, a 20-year-old German cellist and exchange student whose grandfather had served in Hitler's army. Arthur escaped via steamship to New York City in 1938, prior to the start of war, and now lives alone in the two-bedroom apartment he's occupied for over 60 years. Still alert, talkative, and interested in art, music and culture, Arthur hasn't left his apartment in two years, and his friendship with Christoph begins when the young man volunteers with a Jewish aid agency and subsequently visits the elderly recluse to offer help and companionship. The dynamics of their relationship evolve in subtle and unexpected ways, as Arthur (who died in 2004, at the age of 104) gradually shifts from suspicion and skepticism (he tells the young German, "if you'd been alive back then, you'd have killed me!") toward acceptance of Christoph's sincerity, and Christoph comes to terms with the burden of German history while developing a personal appreciation for Arthur's Jewish heritage. Susan Sarandon provides soothing, humanitarian narration, but it's the uncommon bond of reconciliation and respect between these two men—separated by 80 years in both age and culture—that gives the film its resonant emotional impact. A remarkable real-life human drama, Facing Arthur is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (J. Shannon)
Facing Arthur
(2002) 60 min. DVD: $19.98. Anchor Bay Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. November 28, 2005
Facing Arthur
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