UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — “To Kill a Nazi,” a Penn State professor’s critically acclaimed documentary about a French family man’s quest to assassinate his father’s Gestapo executioner, will make its international debut July 27 at a 17th-century Croatian fortress overlooking the Adriatic Sea during the Croatian International Film Festival in Šibenik, Croatia.
“We’re thrilled to share Michel Cojot’s incredible story with his fellow Europeans at the wonderful Croatian International Film Festival,” said Boaz Dvir, an associate professor of journalism in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications. He's the documentary’s writer, director and producer. “As the grandson of Holocaust survivors, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to discuss Michel’s search for meaning, which touches on universal themes such as revenge and redemption, on his home turf.”
Following the evening screening of “To Kill a Nazi” at Šibenik’s Fortress Barone, Dvir, the founder and director of Penn State’s Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Education Initiative, will answer audience questions in person. Earlier that day, at the festival’s Industry Lounge, the award-winning filmmaker will give a “curated talk” about “Unearthing Wild Stories.”
Narrated by iconic actor Jason Alexander, “To Kill a Nazi” recently won Honorable Mention at Dances With Films after screening in Hollywood’s historic Chinese Theatre and received a sales deal from international distributor Go2Films.
“‘To Kill a Nazi’ is a gripping and deeply human story that explores memory, justice, and the lasting impact of history across generations,” said Hedva Goldschmidt, Go2Films’ founder and CEO. “Working with Boaz Dvir has been truly inspiring, his ability to transform complex historical events into an emotional and cinematic journey makes this film both timely and unforgettable.”
Forbes’ Josh Weiss described the 101-minute nonfiction film as “something ripped from the pages of a bestselling spy thriller,” and the Forward’s Simi Horwitz wrote, “Though it is a documentary, it has the feel of fiction … [The film’s theme] has an indefinite shelf life.”
The other “To Kill a Nazi” producers include Matthew Einstein, CEO of Tradition Pictures, and Gayle Zachmann, associate director of the University of Florida Bud Shorstein Center for Jewish Studies. The documentary’s co-producers include Neal Batra and Adam R. Wood, who also served as lead editor.
"Moving between the Holocaust and the rise of modern terror, 'To Kill a Nazi’ raises crucial questions about memory, history, and identity,” said Zachmann, who also served as the documentary’s historical consultant.