Alain Resnais’ Night and Fog

Holocaust IDU – English & World Studies

Alain Resnais’Night and Fog is considered by many to be one of the five most important films ever made. What you will experience is a collection of post-war images like you might see if you went to tour the sites todayjuxtaposed with actual photographs and film from the Holocaust itself, combined with narration that describes the details of this tragedy. (Well, as much as it can. You will often hear phrases like, “Useless to describe what went on in these cells,” and “Words are insufficient,” as the filmmakers obviously know there really is no way to convey the horror of these events and places.) This film is powerful and disturbing but may also be one of the most profound viewing experiences you will ever have.

Use the ideas below to help guide your viewing, jotting down or drawing ideas as you view. It is not expected that you fill every idea – just focus in on the ones that affect you the most.

The buildings themselves / The gathering and transportation of the Jews
The labels sewn to the prisoner’s clothes / The faces of the victims? The Nazis?
Impressions of the Kapos / The barracks of the prisoners; the latrine; the food
How the camps were arranged like cities / What the Nazis collected from the bodies
The images of death and suffering / The insides of the crematoria
Others (images, music, commentary, etc):

Follow up journal/Discussion ideas (on the back of this sheet): In 2-3 paragraphs, capture your intellectual and emotional responses to this film. How did it make you feel? What did it make you think about? How is your perspective of the Holocaust different now that you’ve seen at least some of the reality of it? Be prepared to share your response as well as any responses you’ve had on this page with the class.

Alternate Activity forNight and Fog

Holocaust IDU – English & World Studies

Elie Wiesel’s Night is a powerfully written memoir/narrative about the author’s actual experiences in a Nazi prison camp. Written with a realism and candor uncommon in most of the stories we read of that time and place, this book has the ability to move us beyond the usual stories of the Holocaust.

Your task is to findat least 6 passages in Night that you find particularly noteworthy, whether it be the situations, the events, or the power of the writing. For each, list the page number, summarize or quote the passage, and respond to the passage in any way you wish in 3-6 sentences. Responses may be literary, personal, academic, creative interpretation, and everything in between. You may attach additional sheets of paper if needed. You may be asked to share this work later in our study of the book.

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Alternate Activity forNight and Fog

Holocaust IDU – English & World Studies

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