Hagai Levi Declares the End of Traditional Holocaust Dramas
Hagai Levi, acclaimed director of Scenes From a Marriage and The Affair, believes that the traditional approach to Holocaust narratives in film and television is becoming outdated.
In his latest series, Etty, Levi introduces a novel interpretation of the Holocaust by setting the story in a modern-day Amsterdam, despite the series not being anchored to a specific era. The series draws from the diaries of Etty Hillesum and presents a distinctly contemporary feel, with characters dressed in modern attire, such as jeans, and surrounded by modern architecture and technology. This choice reflects Levi’s intention to portray the Holocaust period as it was experienced by those who lived through it, rather than as a historical period piece.
Levi explained to Deadline, “The inhabitants of 1940s Amsterdam didn’t perceive their lives as a script from a period film; they experienced it as their present reality. I wanted to capture that essence. It was always clear that this project should not fall into the conventional period piece category. The diaries speak to the modernity of Etty’s experiences, portraying her as a contemporary young woman navigating life in a major city.”
A Project Born from Passion
Etty is a passion project for Levi, who even paused his overarching deal with HBO to bring this story to life. He describes Hillesum’s diaries as a constant bedside companion, depicting the life of a politically active Dutch Jewish student with a tumultuous youth. She began her diary in 1941 at the suggestion of her analyst, Julius Spier—who is also portrayed as her lover in the series by Sebastian Koch, known for his role in The Lives of Others.
Hillesum’s writings not only explore her complex relationship with Spier but also her spiritual awakening amidst the escalating horrors of the Holocaust. Tragically, her journey ended at Auschwitz, where she was killed.
Levi was introduced to Hillesum’s diaries by his therapist 15 years ago. The diaries profoundly impacted him by offering insights on personal and political resilience during challenging times. This inspiration lingered, and despite Levi’s success in later projects like The Affair and Our Boys, he remained committed to adapting her story. Initially envisioned as a film, the adaptation evolved into a six-episode series, propelled into production by the compelling events of October 7, 2023.
Levi remarked on the contemporary echoes of the Holocaust, noting, “Recent events, like those of October 7, brought forth images reminiscent of the Holocaust—families hiding, scenes we learned about in school. These images, along with recent visuals from Gaza, remind us that the Holocaust isn’t just a past event; elements of it persist today.”
Levi has expressed dissatisfaction with certain recent Holocaust projects, criticizing them for focusing too narrowly on historical details without connecting to contemporary relevance. He praised Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest for its innovative approach and echoed sentiments from Glazer’s Oscar speech, which highlighted the misuse of Jewish and Holocaust narratives.
Creating Etty involved meticulous attention to modernizing the dialogue and overall aesthetic to reflect Hillesum’s modern perspective. Despite the challenges of crafting a show in German and Dutch—languages foreign to him—Levi relied on straightforward English scripts and professional translators to maintain authenticity. He emphasized the importance of capturing the right energy over linguistic accuracy, a sentiment echoed in his casting choice of Julia Windischbauer for the lead role, whose audition convinced him of her deep connection to Etty’s character.
Currently airing on French broadcaster Arte and marketed for theatrical release by Studio TF1, Etty has been presented in cinemas across Tel Aviv, with upcoming showings in Paris, Berlin, and Amsterdam. Levi views the series more as a cinematic experience, resonating with contemporary themes of fascism and individual resilience.
Concerns Over the Israeli Entertainment Industry
Despite his international success, Levi has not worked in Israel for over a decade. He expressed concerns about the future of the Israeli creative industry under political pressures to conform to right-wing ideologies. Levi fears that ongoing boycotts and restrictions could worsen the situation for Israeli creatives who oppose the current regime and support Palestinian rights.
Levi advocates for a more nuanced approach to boycotts, emphasizing that many Israeli artists actively resist governmental policies and should not be indiscriminately penalized. He stresses the importance of targeted actions that distinguish between the regime and the artists opposing it.
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