Presented by The IHC Jewish Studies Research Focus Group
Thursday, September 26 / 7:30 P.M. / Free
(1974, 100 minutes, English subtitles)
IV Theatre 2

Jakob der Lügner was nominated for "Best Foreign Film" at the Academy Awards in 1977
"….forceful, funny, and poignant." -- New York Times
"…a movie of quiet power, deep integrity and shattering insight." -- Newsweek

THE STORY

Trapped in a Polish Ghetto with thousands of other Jews facing starvation or deportation to the death camps, Jacob is detained one evening at Gestapo headquarters. Eavesdropping, he overhears a radio report about a nearby Russian victory. At first he is silent, but circumstances compel him to pass on the good news of hope. In order to be believed, he feigns access to a hidden, strictly forbidden radio. Quickly he becomes a one-man bulwark against despair, a reluctant hero, but a tragic figure still-a man ultimately powerless to see or change the fate of his people. "Jacob the Liar" is a heartbreaking, yet funny film that enlivens with the sheer power of its insight. A masterwork of artistry and understanding not to be missed.

BIOGRAPHY OF DIRECTOR

Frank Beyer was born in Nobitz (district of Altenburg) on May 26, 1932. He was a scenario editor and assistant director at the District Theatre in Glauchau/Crimmitschau, 1951. Later he studied theater science in Berlin and directing at the famed Prague Film School (FAMU) with the likes of Milos Forman and other budding Czechoslovakian directors. After completing his thesis film, Two Mothers (Zwei Mütter, 1957), he worked as a director's assistant at the DEFA Feature Film Studios. He made his debut as a professional director in 1959. For the next few years he directed a series of powerful and historically significant films at DEFA.

Beyer's 1966 film, Traces of Stones (Spur der Steine, 1966) was banned by GDR State officials as being "politically inappropriate" and he was not allowed to work again as a film director until his re-emergence in 1974 with Jacob the Liar (Jakob der Lügner, 1974).

FILMOGRAPHY

Cinematic Films

Two Mothers (Zwei Mütter, 1957), An Old Love (Eine alte Liebe, 1959), Five Cartridges (Fünf Patronenhülsen, 1960), Star Crossed Lovers (Königkinder, 1962), Naked Among Wolves (Nackt unter Wölfen, 1963), Carbid and Sorrel (Karbid und Sauerampfer, 1963), Trace of Stones (Spur der Steine, 1966), Jacob the Liar (Jakob der Lügner, 1974), The Hiding Place (Das Versteck, 1977), Turning Point (Der Aufenthalt, 1983), Taken for a Ride (Bockshorn, 1984), The Break In (Der Bruch, 1989), The Suspicion (Der Verdacht, 1991).

Television Movies

Rottenknechte (1970), The Seven Affairs of Dona Juanita (Die sieben Affären der Dona Juanita, 1973), No Exit (Geschlossene Gesellschaft, 1978), The King and His Jester (Der König und sein Narr, 1981), The Second Skin (Die zweite Haut, 1981), End of the Innocence (Ende der Unschuld, 1991), Her and Him (Sie und Er, 1991), The Big Celebration (Das grosse Fest, 1992), The Last U-Boat (Das letzte U-Boot, 1993), When the Germans are Sleeping (Wenn alle Deutschen schlafen, 1995), Nikolaikirche (1995), The Captain from Köpenick (Der Hauptmann von Köpenick 1997).

This event is co-sponsored by the IHC Jewish Studies Research Focus Group, Department of Film Studies, Department of Germanic, Slavic, and Semitic Studies, and the Department of History.

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