Viruses, their abilities to survive even the harshest of environments never ceases to amaze. They mold, adapt and evolve faster than many can comprehend, never threatening to disappear. It is the perseverance that makes them so dangerous. What can start off as a small change can explode into something more deadly all together. As Viral: Antisemitism in Four Mutations, from writer and director Andrew Goldberg, poignantly shows, the same can be said for antisemitism.
What starts off as a comment, something seemingly harmless, can resonate far and beyond our own words. Viral takes this analogy, threading the commonality of viruses to the hate and violence that surrounds the Jewish community around the world. Where a small nugget of information can be twisted, an entire community can suffer the wrath of hate. There is a shock to the information presented – one I find myself ashamed for not knowing, for not seeing. This has been happening all around us, and through our own mental power of exclusion, we have not seen the rise, the dangers and the violence.
Viral transverses the world, showing the deep roots of antisemitism, and the ability of it to spread and strengthen, social media only heightening the effect. What it truly shows is that antisemitism has infected everyone, everywhere – even those who claim to support.
The Far Right – USA
While there were plenty of topics, scenarios and moments throughout the documentary the provided shock, seeing the first mutation of the Far Right was far from it. Beginning with police response audio from the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburg on October 27, 2018, heartbreak accompanies memories, recollections to the breaking news reports of that day. As you listen to the testimonials of survivors, there is a perseverance in the face of tragedy, the face of terror. This is not the first time the Jewish community has been targeted, and sadly, it does not seem to be the last.
The words they speak of the fear they live in, the hatred expressed towards them is far from new, though put in the context of a mass shooting, the meanings and consequences reverberate stronger proving that sometimes seeing is believing. What was shocking was hearing clearly the mindset of those who believe themselves superior, believing the Jew to be below them. Again this is nothing that we haven’t heard before, but as it pours out of the mouths of perspective politicians, an worse those currently in power, the influence inspiring a nation is put into a harass spotlight.
This was the perfect place for Viral to begin, bringing audiences into the topic and starting the discussion at a place many already have a foundation to launch from. We have heard the stories and seen the hate. We have heard the rhetoric spoken in campaign speeches, addresses to the nation and even in our own communities. We have seen the rise, thus giving this mutation the perfect context, while setting the stage to present a global perspective.
Blaming the Jew – Hungary
One of the most known crimes against the Jewish community comes from Europe, so it shouldn’t surprise audiences that this is where Viral brings us next – though what is surprising is we still need to. As egocentric as Americans can be, this is not strictly a US problem and Viral makes sure this point is not to be missed. Effectively building off the knowledge from the first segment, Viral continues to mutate, showing not only the spread but rather how the old antisemitic beliefs have modernized.
There is an old belief that Jews are the puppet masters of the world, crafting capitalism and appointing those they feel should be ruling the world. While a rational person may see the insanity of this claim, their are those who would use it to capitalize on power and conformity. In Hungary, Viktor Orbán, the country’s Prime Minister, has used the image of George Soros to wield a country under his control. Using fear and antisemitic rhetoric and propaganda, Orbán has claimed that Soros will be the end of Hungary, claiming the Soros Plan will bring in 1 million Muslim immigrants each year.
With this, he claims, the culture of Hungary will disappear, the inevitable crimes of immigrants will come with lesser sentences than natural citizens, and the country will fall to the power of a Jew living in New York City. Utilizing hate and a fear that already existed, Orbán took this nugget and twisted it. Viral takes to the streets of Hungry showcasing the over-saturation of propaganda that cover the walls, bus stops and billboards of the country. Yet, where Viral truly succeeds here is with the visit with an elderly woman whose defiance to her government brings a true understanding of how deep a leader is willing to spread antisemitism for his own favor.
The Far Left – The UK
Viral continues its journey through Europe, landing in the UK, in this moment bringing viewers from one end of the spectrum to another. Where antisemitism may be expected from the Far Right, Viral shows viewers it can be just as bad on the Far Left. Diving into the highly controversial and shocking revelations of antisemitism within the Labour Party, this documentary proves that hate, discrimination and fear can reside anywhere.
The Labour Party in the UK is the equivalent to the Democratic Party in the United States. It is a party for the people, the working class, standing for those who need the representation in the highest power of government. Yet, will its claims to be for the people have lasted for generations, the Labour Party was brought under immense scrutiny as claims of antisemitic hate from within found their way to the public. Led by their former leader Jeremy Corbyn (whose name sounds strangely similar to Hungary’s leader), the Jewish community found that the Labour Party did not represent them, rather used them as a tool to gain power and influence.
As a hate and distrust of capitalism strengthened throughout the country, the USA found themselves at the height of the blame. As the financial crisis and further struggles for the working class increased, many in the UK were looking for someone to blame. Yet, where the Labour Party should have defended, the Jewish community was left to shoulder the blame, the antisemitic crimes against them increasing. Why? Well if you blame the Westerners for capitalism and they are the ones funding Israel – the Jews too are to blame. Enter Jeremy Corbyn.
His and the Labour Party’s failure to acknowledge the existence of antisemitism and condemn hate crimes against the community, coupled with his apparent siding with terrorist organizations whose main goal is the destruction of Israel, only further created a hostile environment for those living in the UK. While he and his party claimed to fight for those who suffer under hate and injustice, the Jewish community was left to fend for themselves – finding much of this hate was coming from the one man that was suppose to protect them.
Where there is a lot of political positioning and play to take in, especially if you are unfamiliar with the scandal and downfall of the Labour Party, Viral cleverly utilizes imagery from protests from around the country. Citizens holding signs reading “Israel + USA = Murder” drive home the words being spoken and the meaning of what is being said. It pulls the threads of this mutation tightly together giving a deep form of understanding and a coherence to the message being delivered.
Islamic Radicalism – France
“Down with America, Down with the Jews” – words I would have expected to hear from the war torn areas of radicalized nations. To see them on protest signage of citizens in France was eye opening. What was even more shocking – France is one of the most antisemitic countries in the world. But why? What makes France such a hotspot for not only antisemitic hate? As you hear testimonials of citizens who have lost loved ones, it is also the words of those who are weighing their options to leave that bring the deepest heartbreak. Viral has been mutating one step at a time, bringing us to the most violent – an example of what could be elsewhere if we do not take action now.
On January 9, 2015, Jon-Luc Slackman became a hostage as a terror suspect attacked a Kosher supermarket in Paris. While he survived, others did not. Viral follows him as he returns to market, recalling the events of that day. The details of his memory are seemingly as sharp and clear as if he was in the moment once again. There is a resonating pain that seeps from his eyes, not just because of the experience he endured, but from the world he still lives in outside of his memories.
But why is France such a hostile environment for the Jewish community? While many within both the Muslim and Jewish communities live in peace with one another, others have become influenced by radicalized sects who blame the Jewish community for the loss of control of the Holy Land and the struggles that capitalism have provided. Fueled by the hate of a minority, these radicalized individuals bring a reign of terror that seems unceasing throughout France – leaving many to contemplate leaving their homes.
It is in this segment that Viral truly drives home the analogy of antisemitism and a virus. What started off more as comments and beliefs has time and time again shown that it can grow and adapt into hate and violence. The extent of its mutations can reach far and wide, and cut deep. There is a power in this presentation coming to its conclusion, never over-saturating its audience, but rather presenting a timely and well-paced presentation of a continued hate for a community. What is quietly yet, poignantly driven is there are moments where this could have been steered in a different direction, could have been altered and influenced differently. Those in power have the influence and positioning to change the narrative. They have shown time and time again the narrative can speak to hate and violence, but it can also go in the other direction as well. We need to continue the conversation, we need someone to stand up an say enough is enough.
A Vital Documentary
First we created gods to explain the terrible things that happened, then we created religion – then we blamed the Jews. With the rise of social media, the globalization of thought and the power of suggestion, the virus of hate continues to mutate and transform, taking many shapes and names – though still remaining the same. If there was a ever a time to step back and examine the actions of ourselves, our leaders and those around us, the time is now. Viral leans on current events to poignantly deliver its message, and it is clear we are need of a new narrative.
Viral: Antisemitism in Four Mutation is timely and it is vital, and it is a documentary that not only a community needs, but all of us do.
What did you think of the film’s analogy of antisemitism and a virus? What do you think the world can do to make a difference? Let us know in the comments below!
Viral: Antisemitism in Four Mutations was released in the US on February 21, 2020. Find more information here.
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