" The continued use of imagery and personification within this quote effectively demonstrates the pain and brutality experienced by Yossl as he visits one of his concentration camps. The tone of anguish allows the audience to connect with Yossl's experiences and reinforces how the ordeal will haunt him for the rest of his life, despite the passage of time. The Fiftieth Gate further explores the notion that a personal recount can provide a supplementary narrative to documented history. .
The film, Everything Is Illuminated, is adapted from the book of the same name by Jonathan Safran Foer. Directed by Liev Schreiber, this text explores the idea that tangible evidence of a historical event can juxtapose personal and objective history to create a more complete understanding. The beginning of the film shows a close up shot of a faded photograph of Jonathan's grandfather and his first wife, Augustine. This photo is the catalyst for Jonathan's quest to find Augustine, and the close up shot of the photo is a recurring motif throughout the film. When Schreiber films a close-up shot of torn-down wall surrounded by corroding Army vehicles, it flashes back to a panning shot of Nazi men in uniform and leather boots, cocking guns, which contrasts to the next panning shot of worn shoes and Alex's grandfather in a tattered suit lined up against a wall. The wall is a symbol of Nazi supremacy which creates a negative atmosphere within this scene. The use of contrast with the uniform against the suit enables the audience to see that this deteriorating wall links to an event in the past and how it has negatively impacted on the grandfather's mental state of mind. Schreiber's shot choices further reinforce this idea and gives a greater understanding of how physical evidence can unify subjective and objective pasts and embody history. Link to question more in exam .
The Fiftieth Gate challenges traditional views of the Holocaust by demonstrating that although an individual's experience may not coincide with notable historical events, their recollections and experiences can personalize history and inform others of their journey.