VIP guests attend Holocaust film premiere in Barry (From Barry And District News)

VIP guests attend Holocaust film premiere in Barry

8:20am Tuesday 9th February 2010

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A POWERFUL and moving film chronicling events in America during the Holocaust had its UK premiere at the Vale Council’s exhibition space, Art Central, in Barry on Wednesday night (January 27).

Special guests Rabbi Aron Hier, director of campus outreach at the Simon Wiesenthal Centre in Los Angeles, and First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, were joined by over 50 guests in viewing ‘Against the Tide’, a documentary produced by the centre and narrated by Academy Award winner Dustin Hoffman.

Rabbi Hier explained the importance of the film, which highlights how a young activist, Peter Bergson, challenged Washington and the establishment Jewish organisations to demand that the rescue of Europe’s Jews become a top priority.

He said: "The theme of this film can essentially be reduced to an equation. One group kills another group, while another group stands by.

"Had a number of simple things been implemented by the American government, such as rescue missions, then millions of lives could have been saved. It’s about how people chose to stand by the side of the road and let it happen.

"No action was taken, and without action there was no real chance of hope."

First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, added: "It is an honour that ‘Against the Tide’ is having its UK premiere in Wales.

"Documentaries and films like this are a powerful and stark reminder of the horror and destruction that discrimination against others can bring. It is important that we are reminded of the lessons of the Holocaust to prevent such atrocities happening again."

Mayor of the Vale, Cllr Emlyn Williams, and Leader of the Council, Cllr Gordon Kemp, both thanked the Rabbi for visiting Wales and welcomed the opportunity to premiere the film, and its important message, in Barry.

Commendations were also paid to artist Nicola Tucker whose work is currently being exhibited at Art Central as part of the Holocaust Memorial 2010 events.

For more information on Art Central visit www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/arts

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