UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY
8TH ANNUAL FORD HONORS PROGRAM

Honoring

The dilemma has been studied in
considerable depth by Robert Lifson,
visiting professor of psychiatry at
Harvard and a pioneer in analyzing the
psychological dimensions of history.
"Hitler symbolizes pure evil and we
would be more comfortable thinking
of him as a non-human being," said
Lifson. "Indeed, anything we perceive
as absolute evil engages and fascinates
us. To some, such as neo-Nazis, this
even appeals to their own sadistic and
destructive inclinations."
In analyzing Hitler, or Nazi doctors
accused of war crimes, Lifson finds that
he has to maintain a delicate balance.
While probing the psychological roots
of Hitler's evil genius, he said, "We must
not for a moment suspend our moral
judgment. That would be very wrong." 111

role in my own assessment.
For example, when I saw The
Pianist for the first time at the
Cannes Film Festival last year, I was
a touch disappointed, having expect-
ed Polanski's latest film to manifest
his traditional edginess (from films
like Rosemary's Baby and Chirwtown).
But when I saw it for the second
time with my mother, a survivor of
Auschwitz, her profound appreciation
for its understated authenticity made
me revise my own response. The
Pianist ended up on my 1 0-best list.
JN: How do you respond to people
who say that the Holocaust should
be beyond any jokes, such as the
ones in The Producers?
AI: I am leery of self-appointed
defenders of Holocaust imagery. While
there is a special responsibility in deal-
ing with a subject as emotionally
fraught as the Holocaust, black humor
can be a liberating tool in creating
awareness and ultimately sensitivity.
JN: Did working on these films
have any effect on the way you
practice or think about Judaism?
Al: My Judaism has only deepened
since I began working on Indelible
Shadows in 1979. I see the vulnera-
. bilk), of Judaism as well as its ongo-
ing strength as a source of humanist
behavior.
JN: What do you see as the newest
trend in films about the Holocaust?
Al: Documentaries of return, in
which children or grandchildren of
survivors return with a camera to the
scene of the crime and/or rescue.
Among the fine examples is The
Optimists, about the Bulgarians who
saved their Jewish neighbors. [7]

Christopher Parkening
Saturday, May 3, 6 P.M.

Rackham Auditorium &
Power Center • Ann Arbor

Mr. Parkening will perform an abbreviated recital

of guitar masterpieces from the 20th century,

followed by a UMS tribute to his career,

with video footage, interviews, and special guests.

"Christopher Parkening is
a great artist—one of the
most brilliant guitarists in
the world." Andres Segovia

FCC

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The Ford Honors Program is made possible by Ford Motor Company

734.764.2538

www.ums.org

All proceeds benefit the UMS Education
and Audience Development Program.

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4/25
2003

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