Stalags synopsis
Stalags
Holocaust and Pornography in Israel
Stalags were pocket books whose plots depicted lusty female SS officers sexually abusing camp prisoners. The film tells the story of the creators and fans of this genre for the first time.
synopsis
During the 1960s, parallel to the trial held against Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann, sales of this pornographic literature broke all records in Israel and hundreds of thousands of copies were sold at kiosks. The popularity of the Stalags only declined after a much-reported trial, in which their authors were accused of distributing anti-Semitic pornography.
This film examines the notorious phenomenon, exposing the creators of this genre for the first time. It posits that the combination of pornography and the Holocaust also appears in canonic Holocaust literature and continues to be a widespread part of the representation of the Holocaust in Israel today.
Written, Directed & Co-produced by ARI LIBSKER
Producer: BARAK HEYMANN
Cinematography: URI LEVI, DROR LEBENDIGER
Editing: MORRIS BEN-MAYOR
Sound Design: EREZ EINY
With the support of:
The New Foundation for TV & Cinema/Yes Docu
During the 1960s, parallel to the trial held against Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann, sales of this pornographic literature broke all records in Israel and hundreds of thousands of copies were sold at kiosks. The popularity of the Stalags only declined after a much-reported trial, in which their authors were accused of distributing anti-Semitic pornography.
This film examines the notorious phenomenon, exposing the creators of this genre for the first time. It posits that the combination of pornography and the Holocaust also appears in canonic Holocaust literature and continues to be a widespread part of the representation of the Holocaust in Israel today.
“A fascinating subject”
New York Magazine
“Mr. Libsker’s 60-minute documentary puts the Stalags under a spotlight for the first time and exposes some uncomfortable truths”
The New York Times
“Mr. Libsker serves enough food for thought to satisfy the most historically and critically voracious viewer.”
The New York Sun
PRESS LINKS
17 November 2016 The Times of Israel: “When Israel banned Nazi-inspired ‘Stalag’ porn” Article (Israel, English)
9 April 2008 The New York Times: “Eyeing Pornography That Uses the Holocaust as Titillation” Film review (USA)
6 September 2007 The New York Times: “Israel’s Unexpected Spinoff From a Holocaust Trial” film review (USA)
- First Camera Award – RIDM Film Festival, Canada
- HotDocs International Film Festival
- Melbourne International Film Festival
- Jerusalem International Film Festival
- Bergen International Film Festival
- San Francisco Jewish Flm Festival
- Seattle International Film Festival
- Miami International Film Festival
- Cork International Film Festival, Ireland
- VIENNALE International Film Festival, Austria
- “It’s All True” Documentary Film Festival, Brazil
- Toronto Jewish Film Festival, Canada
