Americanization In Film: The Diary Of Anne Frank

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There was a time of history where the entire world was watching an unthinkable tragedy take place, the Holocaust. The film industry exploded with the creation of Holocaust films. From Germany to America, before, during, and after WWII, films portraying the Holocaust took center stage. Interestingly enough, America was not directly effected by the events taking place in Europe. There are accusations towards America asking why did we not help? "How is it possible for a influential country to just sit back and watch a genocide take place?"(CITE) How is it possible for a country who was not directly affected by the Holocaust create many influential films depicted the Holocaust, such as The Diary of Anne Frank (1959), Schindler 's List (1993), and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)? This is where the Americanization of the Holocaust begins. These films are recognized in Europe as being highly influential as well. This welcomes the question as to whether Americanization in film leads to misinterpretations of the true historical account of the Holocaust. Film professor, Ilan Avisar …show more content…

Directed by George Stevens, the film came out only twelve years after The Diary of Anne Frank the book was first published. The film is adapted from the real journal entries of Anne Frank, a thirteen year old Jew hiding in a secret room with her family in Nazi-invaded Holland. The journal entries are filled with stories about her parents, her time in the "Secret Annex", and honest, daily thoughts of a thirteen year old girl. The book first came out in 1947, only two years after WWII was over. After the first publishing in Holland, The Diary’s impact moved to America. "The Diary of Anne Frank evolved from a particularly European work written by a young Jew hiding from Nazis in Holland to a more Americanized, universal symbol." (Book, Doneson) EXPLAIN

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