Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski
Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski tells the story of hero Jan Karski and is available in a book by Clark Young and Derek Goldman. The book contains the text of the stage play, essays, and conversations from leading diplomats, thinkers, artists, and writers who reckon with Karski's legacy—a man who risked his life to share the truth of the Holocaust with the world. The play, starring David Strathairn, has been performed in Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco and is slated to begin an off-Broadway run in New York in early September. The film version will open in theaters January 23, 2023.
From Georgetown University Press, “A messenger of truth, Karski risked his life to carry his harrowing reports of the Holocaust from war-torn Poland to the Allied nations and, ultimately, the Oval Office, only to be ignored and disbelieved. Despite the West's unwillingness to act, Karski continued to tell others about the atrocities he saw, and, after a period of silence, would do so for the remainder of his life. This play carries forward his legacy of bearing witness so that future generations might be inspired to follow his example and shake the conscience of the world.”
The book’s is co-authored by Mr. Young, who is originally from Portland, and is now a teacher and writer living in Brooklyn, New York. The play was directed by Derek Goldman, chair of Georgetown University's Department of Performing Arts, director of the Theater and Performance Studies Program, and cofounding director of the Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University, where the play was created. It stars Academy Award nominee David Strathairn, (Good Night, and Good Luck; Nomadland). Strathairn, who has starred in the piece throughout its evolution, says of the production, “I’ve always felt that one of the vital roles, even a responsibility, of the artist/citizen, is to provide palpable, emotive, and relevant insight into the most pressing issues concerning our common humanity. By dramatizing the legacy of Jan Karski, we are striving to do just that.”
Documentary filmmaker Eva Anisko has created a film version of the drama. Anisko, who earned an Emmy Award for her documentary work, helped The Laboratory for Global Performance & Politics produce a narrative feature film based on the play. “Straithairn reprises his role as Karski in this thrilling, devastating, and ultimately inspiring adaptation of Karski’s story.” Find more information and tickets here.
Says Speaker Nancy Pelosi: "Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski is an essential reminder of what can happen if we let fascism, misinformation, and prejudice triumph. I was deeply moved to witness this brilliant production, anchored by David Strathairn's astonishing performance, which captures the soul of Jan Karski. It was a privilege for me because I knew him as a student and welcomed him to the US Capitol as a Member of Congress. This important volume shows us that Karski's legacy of moral courage should always be a challenge to our conscience. We must bear witness to our history, face the truth, and act upon it."
Photo is from the trailer, credit: Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics.