1/28: Special Institute Film Screening: Denial

Tuesday, January 28
4:00 p.m.
Wolfensohn Hall

In her 1993 book Denying the Holocaust, American academic Deborah E. Lipstadt called British amateur historian David Irving “one of the most dangerous spokesmen for Holocaust denial.” In response, Irving sued Lipstadt for libel, which under British law required the defendant to prove the assertion. The film Denial, directed by Mick Jackson and released in 2016, is the story of that trial in 2000. The film stars Rachel Weisz as Deborah Lipstadt and Timothy Spall as David Irving. When Lipstadt is instructed by her lawyers to remain silent throughout the trial, it causes her much internal conflict. It was her intention to confront Irving directly and provide the opportunity for Holocaust survivors to give their own testimonies. Instead, expert witnesses had to prove that Irving had distorted evidence and that gas chambers existed at Auschwitz. A lot was at stake: If Irving were successful, holocaust denial could become acceptable.

This film runs 1 hour and 49 minutes.

Professor Deborah Lipstadt will come to the IAS to take part in a panel discussion with Daniel Finkelstein (The Times, UK), Professor Julie Gottlieb, and Dr. Karina Urbach on February 5th. Register to attend the panel here.

This event is free and open to the public. Please note that food and drink are not allowed in Wolfensohn Hall.