Cojot: A Second Chance Comes Only Once
Cojot: A Second Chance Comes Only Once is a 2018 documentary by Boaz Dvir.[1]
Synopsis
The character study follows Holocaust survivor Michel Cojot through post-war life as a Parisian banker, a Nazi hunter on the trail of Klaus Barbie, and a pivotal player in the Operation Entebbe, as he and his son Olivier, 12 at the time, were among those held hostage by the terrorists.[2][3]
Production
Work on the film has reportedly gone as far as five years. “Few people get a shot at righting history,” Dvir explained in regards to his motivation for the project. “Michel claimed two. In 1975-76, he was catapulted twice onto the global stage. He certainly made the most of his second chance in Entebbe.” Dvir interviewed 24 people around the world, making sure that all information was confirmed by at least two sources. The interviewees include Michel Cojot's family members, Nazi hunters Serge and Beate Klarsfeld, Operation Entebbe lead pilot Joshua Shani, French historians Vincent Duclert and Shmuel Trigano, hidden-children expert Raphaël Delpard, and bestselling British author Saul David.[4]
Besides directing the project, Dvir serves as producer, writer and composer. Furthermore, he has teamed up with Anita Gabrosek and Richie Sherman, who serve as the film's editor and director of photography, respectively, and Matthew Tiramani for music. University of Florida professor Gayle Zachmann, a French and Jewish Studies specialist, serves as historical consultant and co-producer.[5] Matthew Einstein, CEO of Tradition Pictures and former director of development for Atmosphere Entertainment, serves as a producer on Cojot.[6] The film will be narrated by Judd Nelson.[7]
Release
A 20-minute preview of the film was screened at the American Jewish Historical Society in New York City in March 2016.[8] Recently, the Mark G. Loeb Center for Lifelong Learning and the Louise D. & Morton J. Macks Center for Jewish Education are hosting a preview in Baltimore.[9][10]
The first rough cut screening will take place at Penn State Great Valley in November 2017.[11] The movie's rough cut will also be screened on April 7, at Penn State Abington and May 2 in Baltimore at the Beth El Congregation.[12] On April 12, 2018, star and narrator of the film, Judd Nelson came to Penn State University to screen the movie and answer student and community questions.[13] There was another screening of the film at Beth Chaim Synagogue in Malvern, PA on September 12, 2018.[14] Most recently, the film was screened by the University of Florida's Jewish Studies Department at the Hippodrome Theater in downtown Gainesville on November 15, 2018.[15]
References
- "Documentarian finds new focus in old story". centredaily. Retrieved 2017-04-07.
- "AJHS | France, Jewish Identity, and the Holocaust: Yellow Stars of Tolerance and Cojot". American Jewish Historical Society. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
- Maltz, Judy (2016-06-26). "Haunted Nazi hunter who played a crucial role in the raid on Entebbe". Haaretz. Retrieved 2017-04-07.
- "Preview screenings set for faculty member's film about daring Holocaust survivor | Penn State University". Retrieved 2017-04-07.
- "Faculty Members' Documentary Selected for Screening in New York City".
- Dvir, Boaz. "Former Entebbe hostage to join faculty filmmaker at Philadelphia area screening". PSU News.
- "Penn State Professors Led By Boaz Dvir Are Producing A PBS Documentary Narrated By Judd Nelson About Unsung Nazi Hunting And Hostage Rescuing Hero Michel Cojot". The Lionheart Talent Group. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
- "Just Do Art: Week of March 17, 2016 | The Villager Newspaper". Retrieved 2016-03-27.
- "Preview screenings set for faculty member's film about daring Holocaust survivor | Penn State University". Retrieved 2017-04-07.
- "Preview screenings set for faculty member's film about daring Holocaust survivor | Penn State University". Retrieved 2017-04-07.
- "Penn State filmmaker to share Holocaust survivor documentary at Great Valley | Penn State University". Retrieved 2017-10-24.
- "PSU News".
- Dvir, Boaz. "Actor Judd Nelson to join faculty filmmaker at on-campus rough-cut screening". PSU News.
- "PSU News".
- "PSU News".