Helsinki Commission to Screen "And We Were Germans"

WASHINGTON—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, today announced the following film screening and discussion:

"AND WE WERE GERMANS"

BLACK HISTORY MONTH FILM SCREENING WITH DIRECTOR JOHN A. KANTARA

Tuesday, February 20, 2018 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cannon House Office Building Room 121

Live Webcast (discussion only): www.facebook.com/HelsinkiCommission

To celebrate Black History Month, the Helsinki Commission will screen "And We Were Germans: The Life of Hans-Jürgen Massaquoi and Ralph Giordano." The 30-minute film chronicles the journey of Hans-Jürgen Massaquoi, an Afro-German survivor of the Holocaust who emigrated to the United States and became the editor of Ebony magazine, one of the first monthly publications for African-Americans. The film connects the experience of Afro-German and Jewish-German survivors of the Holocaust by recounting Massaquoi's experience in Germany, including his relationship with Ralph Giordano, a lifelong Jewish friend. The film will be followed by a conversation with director John A. Kantara about the film and current situation of people of African descent in Germany and across Europe.