Memory Culture and the American Holocaust: Sidney Lumet’s The Pawnbroker (1964) (original) (raw)

AI-generated Abstract

Memory Culture and the American Holocaust: Sidney Lumet's The Pawnbroker (1964) analyzes the intersection of Jewish identity, trauma, and social dynamics in Harlem during the 1960s as illustrated through the experiences of Holocaust survivor Sol Nazerman. The film serves as a lens to explore themes of indifference and guilt in the face of suffering, showcasing how Nazerman's emotional detachment both mirrors and perpetuates a cycle of oppression. Through innovative cinematic techniques, such as layered flashbacks, the narrative connects the historical horrors of the Holocaust with contemporary social struggles, ultimately delivering a poignant message about the consequences of indifference towards human suffering.

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