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The Mascot
| Length: | 55 min |
| Released: | 2003 |
| Ages: |
College Adult |
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As a a five-year-old Russian orphan in World War II, Alex Kurzem had been found by Latvian soldiers, made their mascot and given a new name and birthdate. But Alex was actually a Jew, kept alive by those who were exterminating his people. With his real identity hidden, he became a poster boy for the Nazi ideal and was taken into a Latvian family, who later migrated to Australia.
For fifty years, Alex lived a quiet, suburban life in Melbourne, marrying and raising three sons. He never revealed his shocking history to anyone, until in 1996, a series of events led him on a quest back to Europe with his son, filmmaker Mark Kurzem. There, he rediscovered his past and found relatives he never suspected he had. On his return to Australia, those revelations would be met with surprise, even denial, and raise difficult and emotional questions. The film explores Alex's search for his true history and the unexpected impact that had on his family, community and his own sense of identity. boldtext
For fifty years, Alex lived a quiet, suburban life in Melbourne, marrying and raising three sons. He never revealed his shocking history to anyone, until in 1996, a series of events led him on a quest back to Europe with his son, filmmaker Mark Kurzem. There, he rediscovered his past and found relatives he never suspected he had. On his return to Australia, those revelations would be met with surprise, even denial, and raise difficult and emotional questions. The film explores Alex's search for his true history and the unexpected impact that had on his family, community and his own sense of identity. boldtext
"Highly recommended as another perspective of viewing cause and effect of World War II and the Holocaust. a fascinating documentary and biography." Brad Eden, PhD University Libraries, University of Nevada for Educational Media Reviews OnLine
Miami Jewish Film Festival. 2003
Dendy Prize, Sydney Film Festival, 2003
Rouben Mamoulian Award, 2003
Dendy Prize, Sydney Film Festival, 2003
Rouben Mamoulian Award, 2003
