The Responsibility of Cinema and Today’s Genocides
It is necessary to frequently underline the responsibility that cinema carries beyond being a means of entertainment. Neither cinema has existed since the beginning of human life nor can life in our age be clearly understood without cinema. In this context, we want to emphasize the importance of sharing feelings and responsibilities against the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
“Genocide” and “Jew” Mentioned Side by Side, But as Victims
When we say genocide, the “Holocaust” immediately comes to mind. Because Hollywood has fulfilled its responsibility from its own perspective. It has shaped our minds by making Holocaust-themed films for over 70 years. After the minds of the people of the world have been manipulated by Hollywood, today it is necessary to open another window. First of all, neither cinema is the old cinema nor the world is the old world. In this environment where everything is changing very quickly, both the viewer and the filmmaker need to keep up with the new world. As we have frequently stated on this page, it is essential to accurately convey the atrocities experienced in Palestine and other parts of the world. After fulfilling this reminder duty once again, let’s return to our cinema archive.
Films That Describe Massacres and Genocides Outside the Holocaust Industry
In world cinema, outside of the Holocaust industry, genocide-themed films are also being made. In fact, it is possible to come across such examples from time to time in Hollywood. We want to examine the most sensible, realistic and far-from-global-planning films.
- Algerian War of Independence (1966)
The Algerian occupation and massacres, which are little known to the new generation but are one of the most frightening events in recent history, are addressed under the direction of Gillo Pontecorvo. The film sheds light on the final period of the struggle for independence after the French occupation. In addition to gaining freedom after centuries of colonialism, it also emphasizes the past sins of today’s European states, the apostles of freedom.
- Hotel Rwanda (2004)
This film, directed by Terry George, is about the unimaginable massacres that took place in Rwanda over a few days and how it turned into genocide. The film, which shows that Westerners are not innocent and that they are provoking groups in Rwanda, questions the existence of the United Nations.
- Shooting Dogs (2005)
This film, which covers one of the most brutal periods experienced in Rwanda in 1994, tells the story of the civil war between the Hutu and Tutsi tribes. The massacre of 1 million people in just a few weeks constitutes one of the darkest pages in human history.
- Belvedere (2010)
This film, which tells the story of the genocide in Bosnia through women in a moving way, was directed by Ahmet Imamovic. The film reveals the struggle of Bosnian women who spend their days in mass graves and offer money to the killers to learn the whereabouts of the victims.
- Where Are You Going Aida? (2020)
This film, which deals with the events that took place during the Bosnian War and became known as the Srebrenica Genocide, tells the story of a woman and her family during the genocide. This genocide, which took place in 1995, is similar to what is happening in Gaza today. Because once again, Muslims were targeted and Western powers were content to just watch.
