Last Flight of Petr Ginz

Distributed by First Run Features, 630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213, New York, NY 10036; 212-243-0600Produced by Stephen H. Cypen and Peter GilbertDirected by Sandra Dickson and Churchill Roberts2013, DVD, color, 66 min. A beautiful blend of vibrant animation, moving interviews, and historically vital found Holocaust footage The Last Flight of Petr Ginz is the portrait of an artist as a young, brave man who was murdered at Auschwitz in September of 1944. It’s a unique documentary and an essential Holocaust film. Narrated by Petr’s 84 year-old sister, Chava Pressburger, a survivor, we learn that Petr Ginz was born on February 1, 1928. His Christian-born mother converted to Judaism when she married Ginz’s father. Growing up in Prague, a “magical city,” he was in a school for exceptional children for a year until the Nazi occupation took over the city. At fourteen Petr was sent to Terezin, a concentration camp. While at the camp, he was able to continue reading, studying, and drawing. Inspired by Jules Verne’s work—Petr wrote a book entitled One Second Around the World--he drew captains navigating ships, celestial visions depicting what the Earth looks like from the moon, and he wrote and illustrated an allegory about the Nazis featuring the giant monster Kadu. These drawings come to life in swirling, psychedelic colors. While at Terezin, Petr starts writing a magazine entitled Vedem, or We Lead, whose slogan is “We will win.” In 2003, his diary (now published and available), six books of his writings and drawings were found in Prague. Found footage and stills include Hitler and the Nazis occupying Prague on March 15, 1939 as well as a fascinating, infuriating Nazi hoax film shot at Terezin in which the Germans invited the Red Cross to show the world that the interred Jews were being treated like hotel guests. Tragically, Peter is put on one of the last transports to Auschwitz, and he is gassed to death. The film gloriously celebrates this talented young artist’s vision and courage. It is seamlessly edited, gorgeously animated, and magnificently scored by John Califra. Every school library should own and show this film, for which a UN study guide is available online. In its moving coda, we learn that in 2000, Czech astronomers discover an asteroid and name it 50413 Petr Ginz.