Events

Director: Oliver Haffner
Run Time: 92 minutes
Language: German (some Hebrew and Yiddish) with English subtitles 

Hans Rosenthal was the beloved face of 1970s German television—the ever-smiling host of the wildly popular game show "Dalli, Dalli." To millions, he represented joy, cheerful entertainment, and a new beginning for a nation eager to move forward. But behind his effortless charm lay a truth he rarely shared: Rosenthal was Jewish—and a survivor of the Holocaust.

In November 1978, as Germany prepared to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Kristallnacht, Rosenthal was confronted with a choice that would test the foundations of his carefully built life. Invited by Chancellor Helmut Schmidt to attend the country’s first official remembrance ceremony, he was at the same time ordered by his television network to host a live broadcast of “Dalli, Dalli” that very night. Caught between public duty and private conscience, between the man he showed the world and the trauma he carried within, Rosenthal faced a moment of truth that could no longer be deferred.

A powerful and deeply human drama, Rosenthal reveals the untold story of one of Germany’s most iconic entertainers—a man forced to reconcile laughter with loss, and performance with the painful echoes of history.

Lights, Camera, Conversation

Join us after the credits roll for Lights, Camera, Conversation – a welcoming space for movie-lovers to reflect, share perspectives and dive deeper into the themes, characters and emotions sparked by the film. Whether you're a casual viewer or a cinema enthusiast, this is your chance to connect, process, and keep the story going.

Films will be screened at:
The Cranford Theater
25 N Ave W, Cranford, NJ

Individual Film Ticket
Price: $18, Member Price: $15.30

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This program was made possible by a grant from the Malvin and Greta Roesch Film Festival Endowment Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ.