I recently chatted with David Scott Paul, the interview subject for the multiple award winning documentary/animation film ‘German Shepherd’. The film played at the May 2015 WILDsound FEEDBACK Film Festival.
David’s journey is one of examining the capacity to forgive unimaginable evil acts. In the film, David explores the possibility of forgiveness to the German culture as grew up with stories by his Holocaust-survivor mother. It’s a fascinating film that everyone should see.
Matthew Toffolo: What was your first reaction when you watched the film (German Shepherd)?
David Scott Paul: I was very moved by the finished product. It was cathartic and I have to say a high point in my life. Nils (the director) managed to edit our original interview down to the kernel of my thoughts on the subject which have always been all over the place in my head.
Matthew: What’s your personal state of mind with people in the world today? Are we getting better and less selfish overall? Are we declining? Or are we the same as we always have been?
David: I think people are basically the same today as they have always been. Since World War II there have been many instances of genocide in Communist Russia, in Cambodia, in Rwanda, and in the Balkans. And today Muslim extremism in the form of Al Queda and ISIS is a threat to Western culture. Technology and progress have moved us somewhat forward but there will always be powerful people with extreme ideas that are willing to destroy those who disagree with them.
Matthew: What has been your family’s reaction to German Shepherd?
David: I was the only one in my family that was really obsessed with the German Jewish historical subject. My siblings have been supportive and are happy that the film is getting so much attention. My sister Marilyn especially liked the film and predicted that it would be accepted to many film festivals. And she was right!
Matthew: What does (would) your mom think of the film?
David: My mother died during the making of German Shepherd. In the early days when I traveled to Germany she was not supportive at all and I often did not tell her when I went. By the time German Shepherd was being made, she came around somewhat. A lot of it had to do with a small sculpture that a German friend’s elderly aunt made for my mother as a gesture of reconciliation.
Matthew: You mentioned that you are (were) obsessed with watching Holocaust movies. What film is your favorite?
David: My favorite Holocaust film is Europa Europa by Polish director Agnieszka Holland. It’s about a young Jewish boy who has to hide his religion to survive during the third reich. I related a lot to the boy in that movie.
Matthew: When did you start changing your personal state of values and ideals? You mentioned that your mother taught/influenced you to have certain beliefs on different cultures in the world. How old were you when you began the process of questioning your family teachings and exploring things for yourself?
David: I was about 19 when I started thinking that I would not like anyone to think all Jews were a certain way so I should not think that all Germans are a certain way. I had just come back from studying a year in Israel and traveling through Europe (not Germany yet) when I decided I have to meet a good German. Though I didn’t start visiting Germany until I was about 24 after I had met a few Germans from a peace organization called action reconciliation service for peace.
Matthew: What is your life’s interest? What does the interviewee of the award winning film German Shepperd do in New York City?
David: My day job in New York City is working as an administrative law judge. I’ve always been interested in the concept of “can’t we all get along?” After being involved in this film process, I would like to stay connected to that world. I hope to get involved with making a follow up short film to German Shepherd.
Matthew: What film have you seen the most in your life?
David: I’ve seen Casablanca numerous times. I started watching it as a little kid with my mother who loved to watch the movies from the 40s. It had something for everyone – great actors, a war theme, and maintaining friendship in difficult times.
Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video of the Short Film GERMAN SHEPHERD:
Matthew Toffolo's Summary 