Broken Silence (2001 film)

Broken Silence is a 2001 short documentary film, part of the anthology film project Propaganda. The Propaganda project, initiated by the USC Shoah Foundation, aimed to counter historical negationism (Holocaust denial) by presenting authentic survivor testimonies, contextualized and refuted to address specific points raised by deniers.

Broken Silence, directed by Ron Silver, features the testimony of Jack Eisner, a Holocaust survivor. Eisner recounts his experiences in the Warsaw Ghetto, including participating in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The film focuses on his leadership role among the young Jewish fighters and the challenges they faced in their resistance against the Nazis. Broken Silence specifically addresses claims made by Holocaust deniers that the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising did not happen or was not a significant event. The film uses archival footage, photographs, and Eisner's first-hand account to vividly portray the events and demonstrate the reality of the resistance.

The film is intended to be used as an educational tool to teach about the Holocaust and to combat denial.