The Washington Jewish Film Festival presents "Murder in Polna," a riveting, timely and chilling historical drama that explores the Hilsner affair, a criminal investigation that veered dangerously off course due to simmering anti-Semitism in 1899 Czechoslovakia.
Murder in Polna
Dirs. Viktor Polesný and Vaclav Jester
(180 min, Czech Republic, 2016, Czech with English subtitles)
Narrative | East Coast Premiere
Local police, stumped by the brutal murder of a young girl, attach ritual motivations to her killing, which occurred around Passover. Despite significant holes in this theory, the finger is pointed at young Jewish local Leopold Hilsner, and anti-Jewish rioting commences. Luckily, Tomáš G. Masaryk—a tempered sociologist who would eventually become Czechoslovakia’s first President—intervenes.
Dates / Locations:
Saturday, May 20, 12:15 pm - Edlavitch DCJCC
Tuesday, May 23, 6:30 pm - Bethesda Row Cinema
27th Annual Washington Film Festival - Murder in Polna
This event is part of the European Month of Culture (EUMC). Now in its fifth year, EUMC is a month-long festival of innovative and creative events for the American public highlighting the diverse cultures of all 28 European Union Member countries. Enjoy film, dance, music, theatre, exhibits, language classes, workshops and more in great venues throughout Washington DC. Most events are free! To see all EUMC events, click here.
