Foyle Film Festival remembers Tomi ReichentalFoyle Film Festival remembers Tomi Reichental

Tomi first attended the festival in 2009 to screen the ground-breaking documentary Til The Tenth Generation, by award-winning filmmakers Gerry Gregg. The film follows Tomi back to his birthplace in Slovakia to explore his life, the fate of the Slovak Jewish community and the impact of the Holocaust present day.

Over 1,500 students attended screenings of Til The Tenth Generation and the follow-up films Close To Evil (2013), and Condemned To Remember (2017). All screenings were accompanied by Q&As, giving students a unique opportunity to ask Tomi questions about the Holocaust and Tomi's life in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

The most recurring question that came up over the years was "Do you hate?" Tomi's response was always the same "No I don't hate, because hate is self-defeating." Instead he argued that we should make peace with the past so that it doesn't poison the present or the future. Tomi's message was always about education, peace and respect. He encouraged those who came to hear him speak to embrace and respect minorities.

Tomi argued that it was important to bear witness to history no matter how painful it might be. He believed that to ignore or forget that history was to risk making the same mistakes again. Tomi Reichental dedicated his life to educate and bear witness about the horrors of war, and to help ensure that history does not repeat itself.

Bernie McLaughlin, former Director & Programme for Foyle Film Festival, reflects on her memory of Tomi:

"I was honoured to get to know Tomi over the course of years that he attended the Foyle Film Festival. For most of us we learn about the Holocaust through history books and on film, but Tomi Reichental brought that history to life and gave a face to the victims and the survivors. He has left a lasting legacy with his films, and also with the impact of his powerful personal testimonies to students and audiences over the years."

Photo credit: European Parliament Office Ireland, Flickr