Independent Lens Season 18 Episode 14 The Last Laugh

Independent Lens season 18 episode 14, titled "The Last Laugh," is an insightful exploration of the controversial topic of humor in the Holocaust. Director Ferne Pearlstein invites an all-star roster of entertainers, including Sarah Silverman, Mel Brooks, and Louis C.K., to discuss whether it is ever appropriate to joke about such a tragic historical event.

"The Last Laugh" raises a contentious question: is there a place for comedy in the face of atrocity? Beginning with a montage of Auschwitz footage overlaid with Woody Allen jokes, the documentary kicks off with a provocative and unsettling tone. The film then introduces a wide range of perspectives, from Holocaust survivors who believe humor helps them cope, to irate protesters who think that making jokes about the Holocaust is tantamount to denying its existence. Through candid interviews with comedians, scholars, Auschwitz survivors, and the grandson of a Nazi official, Pearlstein offers a nuanced exploration of a subject that touches on questions of free speech, taboo, and whether certain topics are off-limits for comedy.

The documentary goes into the ways humor has been used as a form of subversion and resistance throughout history, as well as the ways it can be used to process trauma. With interviews from entertainers including Gilbert Gottfried, Judy Gold, and David Steinberg, the documentary explores the rich history of Jewish comedy and the role of humor in Jewish culture, from the Borscht Belt to television shows like Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm. It also shows the rise of neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups who use humorous memes and rhetoric to spread their hateful ideology through social media and how the use of humor as a tool for resistance has become complicated in this era of rising fascism.

One of the most striking interviews in the documentary is with Renee Firestone, an Auschwitz survivor who describes how humor helped her survive the concentration camp. She recounts how she and her fellow female prisoners sometimes used humor to outsmart the guards, even making fun of their captors by mimicking their thick Austrian accents. This theme is woven throughout the documentary as entertainers discuss using humor as a coping mechanism and a way to reclaim power in oppressive situations.

The documentary also explores the line between comedy and offensiveness, as well as the limits of free speech. Sarah Silverman, who has faced sharp criticism for her edgy jokes in the past, argues that comedy should not be censored and that laughter is a way to bring important issues to light. Others, like the Auschwitz survivor Elie Wiesel, are deeply offended by jokes about the Holocaust and believe that certain topics are simply off-limits. These differing opinions highlight a larger debate about what should or should not be considered acceptable speech in a free society.

In the end, "The Last Laugh" is a thought-provoking exploration of humor in the face of extreme tragedy. Through its diverse range of perspectives, the film challenges viewers to consider whether comedy can serve a greater purpose beyond entertainment. The documentary is both funny and profound, shedding light on a complex and controversial topic with sensitivity and nuance. Ultimately, it is a meditation on the power of laughter but also an exploration of the price of laughter.