Prepare to be captivated: Oscar-nominated filmmaker Adam Benzine is set to release a director's cut of his acclaimed documentary, offering a deeper exploration of the life and work of Claude Lanzmann, the visionary behind the Holocaust epic Shoah.
This new version, titled The Death and Love of Claude Lanzmann (La mort et l’amour de Claude Lanzmann), expands upon the original short film to feature length, promising a more comprehensive look at Lanzmann's life. It premieres on VOD platforms this Sunday.
This release marks a significant moment, arriving 10 years after the original film, Claude Lanzmann: Spectres of the Shoah, which earned an Academy Award nomination.
Benzine's statement highlights the growing stature of Lanzmann's legacy, stating that viewers often desired a longer film. This new version aims to satisfy that desire, delving into the tumultuous journey that led to Shoah's creation. It also restores the original planned title.
Benzine emphasizes the timeliness of this release, coinciding with the centennial anniversary of Lanzmann's birth, the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and the 40th anniversary of Shoah's release in 1985. He suggests that the film's themes remain as relevant as ever.
The original film featured extensive interviews with Lanzmann about the making of Shoah, including the challenges of undercover filming of former Nazis, the emotional toll of interviewing Holocaust survivors, and the battles over the project's length and cost. It also explores the immense challenge of chronicling one of history's greatest atrocities.
After its premiere at Hot Docs in 2015, Claude Lanzmann: Spectres of the Shoah sparked a bidding war, ultimately won by HBO. The film garnered numerous awards, including Best Documentary Short at the Warsaw Jewish Film Festival and the Audience Award at the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival in Greece. It also received multiple Canadian Screen Award nominations and recognition from the IDA and Cinema Eye Honors.
In a 2015 interview, Benzine shared his experience of spending time with Lanzmann, describing him as lucid, poetic, and eloquent. He noted that Lanzmann was not as difficult as his reputation suggested, possibly due to the rapport they built. Benzine also emphasized Lanzmann's personal connection to the Holocaust, having been a Jew in France during the Second World War and a member of the French Resistance.
But here's where it gets controversial... Benzine's documentary features never-before-seen outtakes from Lanzmann and his team, filmed in the 1970s. These outtakes have been digitally restored to full HD for the director's cut, thanks to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
The Death and Love of Claude Lanzmann will be available on VOD platforms and at lanzmannfilm.com.
The film is written, produced, and directed by Adam Benzine, co-produced by Kimberley Warner, and executive produced by Nick Fraser. It features an original score by Joel Goodman and is edited by Tiffany Beaudin. The director of photography is Alexander Ordanis. International sales are handled by Cinephil, and educational sales are handled by Film Platform.
Lanzmann, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 92, is seen in an exclusive clip from the new film, discussing his relationship with the French writer Simone de Beauvoir.
What do you think? Do you believe that Lanzmann's personal experiences significantly shaped his approach to filmmaking? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
