Watch In Spite of Darkness. A Spiritual Encounter with Auschwitz

In Spite of Darkness is a deeply moving and thought-provoking documentary film that delves into the spiritual legacy of Auschwitz, one of the darkest chapters in human history. The movie is directed by Marcie Begleiter and features Rabbi Ohad Ezrahi and John B. Richardson as the two main voices that guide us through this emotional journey.

The film's central focus is on the experiences of Rabbi Ohad Ezrahi, a scholar of Jewish mysticism, who was invited by a group of Polish Catholics to visit Auschwitz, the infamous Nazi death camp where over a million people, mostly Jews, were murdered during World War II. As a Jew and a mystic, the rabbi felt a strong urge to bear witness to the horrors of the Holocaust and to share his reflections on what it means to confront evil and suffering.

The movie is shot in a meditative, introspective style that matches the rabbi's contemplative mood. We see him walking alone in the starkly beautiful Polish countryside, gazing at clouds and trees, and reflecting on the power of nature to heal and inspire. At the same time, we see stark images of the death camp itself, the crumbling ruins of barracks, gas chambers, and crematoria that still stand as a mute testimony to the atrocities that took place there.

Through the rabbi's eyes, we get a sense of the enormity of the tragedy, the scale of the suffering, and the depth of the spiritual wounds that still haunt the survivors and their descendants. He shares his thoughts on the nature of evil, the limits of reason, and the role of faith in facing the unknown and the uncertain. He also engages in dialogues with Polish Catholics who are trying to reconcile their own history of complicity and guilt with the hope for a better future.

The film is beautifully shot, with careful attention to details and a subtle use of music and soundscapes. The sound design, in particular, is remarkable, as the filmmakers use the natural sounds of the environment to create a sense of immersion and presence. We hear the wind, the leaves, the birds, and the distant sounds of life, as if to remind us that even in the midst of horror, there is still hope and beauty to be found.

In addition to Rabbi Ohad Ezrahi's reflections, the film also features interviews with other survivors of Auschwitz, including a woman who was a child there and a man who lost most of his family in the gas chambers. Their stories are told with sensitivity and respect, and add to the movie's richness and complexity.

It should be noted that In Spite of Darkness is not an easy film to watch. The subject matter is sobering and deeply emotional, and the film does not shy away from the graphic realities of the Holocaust. However, the movie is also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and to the power of faith, compassion, and creativity to overcome adversity and transcend despair.

Overall, In Spite of Darkness is a powerful and moving work that deserves to be seen by anyone who cares about history, spirituality, and human dignity. It is a film that challenges us to confront our own prejudices, fears, and limitations, and to find hope and meaning in the face of darkness.